News release: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the agency’s Global Engagement Report detailing the many activities and strategies FDA is using to transform from a domestic to a global public health agency. The report describes the steps the agency is taking to ensure that imported food, drugs, medical devices, and other regulated products meet the same rigorous standards for safety and quality as those manufactured domestically…Global production of FDA-regulated goods and materials has exploded over the last decade and continues to grow. FDA-regulated products originate from more than 150 countries, 130,000 importers, and 300,000 foreign facilities. Each year from 2005-2011, food imports have grown by an average of 10 percent, while imports of pharmaceutical products have increased at nearly 13 percent and device imports have grown more than 10 percent. Approximately 50 percent of fresh fruits and 20 percent of fresh vegetables, as well as 80 percent of the seafood consumed in America come from abroad. Similarly, more than 80 percent of the active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make medicines are imported. The report outlines a variety of engagement strategies the FDA is using in partnership with other agencies, organizations and coalitions around the world to strengthen global, regulatory capacity-building efforts; develop and harmonize science-based regulatory standards; increase awareness about the importance of regulatory systems; and share information and data globally to facilitate rapid identification of and response to public health emergencies.”