Does FDA notify foreign Embassies and Competent Authorities of the countries where food facilities have been selected for inspection?

Yes. FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition sends an advance notification to the Competent Authority responsible for food safety in the country where FDA will be conducting an inspection. FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition makes every effort to notify each corresponding competent authority. In some cases, FDA is unable to reach the proper competent authority in advance. FDA always welcomes competent authorities to share their contact information with the agency. Please see questions number 8 & 36 for information on how you could share such information with FDA.