The Food Safety and Quality Program provides a public health benefit and should be continued. The program is properly placed in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The program has generally met its performance standards related to dairy and food safety, although it did not meet its workload standards for pesticide residue analyses and grading poultry and eggs due to workload changes.
To reduce costs, the department should stop inspecting a dairy located in Spain that is exporting dairy commodities to Florida, as this function is the responsibility of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Legislature and the department could reduce the program's general revenue funding needs and contribute toward department overhead costs by up to $5.4 million by increasing regulatory fees to levels that fully support program direct and indirect costs.

Progress Report: Food Safety Program Increases Some Fees; Still Requires Funding From Other Sources
Report 03-57 October 2003
Agricultural Development Program Met Standards, But Activities Should Become Financially Self-Supporting
Report 01-60 November 2001
General Revenue Savings Possible in Consumer Protection Program
Report 01-51 November 2001
Forest Protection Program Meets Most Standards; Could Achieve Further Savings
Report 01-36 August 2001

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.