The council creates an infrastructure for enhancing outreach, response and information sharing of food safety issues at the state level.

The Food Safety and Food Defense Advisory Council serves as a forum for presenting, investigating, and evaluating issues of current importance to the assurance of a safe and secure food supply to the citizens of Florida.

The council operates under the authority of Section 500.033, Florida Statutes.

Membership Requirements

The council must include, but is not limited to, representatives from the following:

• The Commissioner of Agriculture or their designee
• The State Surgeon General or their designee
• The Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation or their designee
• The individual responsible for domestic security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
• Members representing:
  • Food production
  • Food processing
  • Food distribution
  • Food retail/sales
• Consumers or representatives of consumer advocacy groups
• Representatives from food industry associations or groups
• Scientists or academic experts in food safety (e.g., from state universities)
• Representatives from local, state, and federal agencies involved in food safety or food defense
• The chairs (or their designees) of:
  • The Agriculture Committees of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives
  • The Senate and House committees with oversight of domestic security/home defense

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the department.