Imported Food

An imported food is defined as any food or drink not produced domestically that has to be brought into a country by means of air, land, or sea transport for consumer consumption. The exchange of foods between countries is an ever-increasing and expanding business that is contingent on supply and demand, political and economic interdependency, and trade agreements between nations. The importation of foods for domestic consumption possesses both benefits and drawbacks for the economies of trading countries, resulting in contradictory perspectives on the topic. This entry provides a brief history of U.S. food imports, gives an overview of the primary domestic agencies involved in food transactions, discusses key U.S. trade agreements and federal legislation surrounding the importation of food and drink, and examines import ...