Final answer:
The FDA recommends choosing food suppliers who adhere to government regulations on food safety, with processes that are compliant with hygiene and traceable from origin to processing. Suppliers should have a good track record of meeting FDA's safety standards to secure the food supply chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
When choosing a food supplier, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends ensuring that the supplier adheres to strict food safety standards. This includes compliance with regulations related to hygiene in food handling, safety in food production, shipping, and storage. Suppliers must follow government regulations that require food to be traceable to their point of origin and date of processing to help identify the source of foodborne disease outbreaks. The FDA partners with various federal, state, and local agencies to set and enforce these standards, to ensure the safety and efficacy of both food and medicines in the United States. For instance, medications must undergo rigorous testing for years before they are allowed on the market, which showcases the FDA's commitment to protecting consumers from unsafe products, though it also highlights the tension between safety and accessibility. Therefore, when choosing suppliers, businesses should look for ones with a proven track record of compliance with FDA regulations to ensure the safety of the food supply chain.