Chapter 1 : Status and Projections for Foods Imported into the United States

Abstract:

This chapter describes changes in imports of selected food categories, changes in the imported volume of specific foods, and reasons for the imports of red meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and nuts to the United States and identifies differences and similarities among exporting countries with implications for the risk of potential microbiological contamination in the domestic food supply. The description distinguishes among food categories and countries of origin with regard to the growth of food product imports. A description of the general conditions of the economic and social development in exporting countries is included as an indication of risk associated with the introduction of food-borne pathogens into the food supply system. In fruit and vegetable production, especially for fresh consumption, labor costs during harvest represent a major expense to a grower. The chapter presents several general measures developed by international organizations to address selected aspects of economic and social development. The short-term projections regarding vegetable imports were quite accurate in the past, but fruit import predictions were less accurate, especially in the category of fresh and frozen fruit (USDA, 2007). The consumption of selected fresh and processed vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish was affected by dissemination of research reports linking substances contained in these foods to confirmed or implied health benefits. The intended use of the different indexes in the chapter is to enable the process of designing and enforcing a system for detecting microbial contamination and, under the best-case scenario, preventing contaminated food from reaching the distribution system.