We unite food industry experts and watchdogs to identify and remove non-compliant food products from U.S. shelves, protecting public health and fair trade
WE STRIVE FOR SAFER FOOD, HEALTIER CITIZENS
We are a group of food professionals working together towards a common goal: Safer food online.
We operate solely as a mission-driven, non-profit organization. We are funded through voluntary contributions and do not engage in any commercial sales or fee-based services. Our work is entirely voluntary, ensuring our actions remain independent and unbiased.
01
Where it began
The Food Import Transparency Network was born in early 2025 out of a simple but urgent idea — to stop unsafe and non-compliant imported food products from reaching American consumers.
It began with a small group of food industry professionals who noticed a troubling trend: online marketplaces were increasingly flooded with imported products that skirted U.S. regulations. Some even contained banned ingredients.
02
First take-downs
What started as a targeted effort to monitor e-commerce platforms quickly evolved into a nationwide network of experts. Together, we are building the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to ensure that every food product sold in the United States meets the safety and labeling standards the law demands.
We started urging online marketplaces who cater to third party sellers through their distribution channels about non-compliant food items on their networks. Our efforts yieleded their first results in few weeks and we managed to remove multiple listings from various sellers.
03
Growing team, increasing monitoring
With every new member, our monitoring capabilities grow stronger. We’re refining our detection methods, expanding our coverage to more regions and product categories, and building a shared knowledge base that empowers members to identify violations quickly and accurately. This collective expertise allows us to act faster, engage more effectively with marketplaces and distributors, and ensure that unsafe or non-compliant products are identified and removed before they can reach consumers.
About us
You can make a difference with us...
The Food Import Transparency Network brings together people with experience in food production, distribution, import/export, regulation, and consumer safety. Our goal is to create a united front that monitors U.S. store shelves for food products that fail to meet FDA and USDA requirements — whether due to illegal ingredients, misleading labels, or non-compliant packaging.
We believe transparency is key to public health. By pooling our expertise, we can identify risks early, reach out to responsible parties, and work toward swift removal of unsafe products from the market.
Case Stuides with a particular focus on Online Sales
By combining expert review, marketplace engagement, and regulatory escalation, we identify unsafe imported foods, document violations, and work to ensure these products are removed from digital shelves before they reach consumers.
Fake/unauthorized FEIs
We identify companies using fake or unauthorized FDA Establishment Identifiers (FEIs) for their imports by analyzing publicly available data and alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for further investigation.
Non-compliant labels
We detect imported food products with non-compliant labels including missing allergen declarations and inaccurate ingredient lists and report them to the appropriate authorities to prompt corrective action.
Undeclared Allergens
We uncover imported food products containing undeclared allergens, posing serious health risks to consumers, and alert the relevant authorities to initiate removal and corrective measures.
Growing concern: Snack Boxes
We observe a growing number of imported snack boxes being sold online that contain items with undeclared allergens, non-compliant labels, or banned ingredients.
Voluntary Actions
We initiate voluntary action requests by urging sellers to recall their non-compliant products, and most comply promptly; for those who do not, we escalate the matter to the FDA or other relevant authorities to ensure enforcement.
Marketplace Support
Online marketplaces have responded positively to our scientific approach and evidence-based investigations, removing non-compliant listings after reviewing the detailed documentation and proof we provide.
Fighting against SAHCODHA
We actively encourage pursuing legal action in cases involving SAHCODHA (Serious Adverse Health Consequences or Death to Humans or Animals) events, ensuring that responsible parties are held fully accountable for endangering public health.
Inventory Removals
We work to ensure that all affected inventory is promptly removed from circulation and safely destroyed at every storage location.
Illegal Colorants
We are actively fighting against the use of illegal colorants, particularly those subject to the FDA’s batch certification requirements.
Non-compliant nutrition facts labelling
We look for incorrect formatting, missing mandatory information, and misleading nutrient claims to ensure full compliance with FDA labeling requirements
Snacks marketed toward children
We closely monitor snacks marketed toward children, ensuring they are free from illegal additives, undeclared allergens, misleading claims, and non-compliant labeling.
Illegal declarations
We target illegal label claims, such as falsely declaring a product as low calorie.
Frequently asked Questions
How can I become a member?
To join our network, please send your CV and a letter of intent explaining your background, expertise, and motivation for joining to info@foodtransparencynetwork.org. Our team will review your application and get back to you with the next steps.
Are members reimbursed for their time and effort?
No. The Food Import Transparency Network is a non-profit initiative. We do not sell products, provide services, or engage in commercial activities in exchange for reimbursement — and the same applies to our members. All participation is voluntary, driven by a shared commitment to improving food safety and compliance in the U.S. market.
Can I quit after becoming a member?
Yes. Membership in the Food Import Transparency Network comes with no long-term commitments. You are free to step down at any time if you choose to discontinue your involvement.
How can I spot the non-compliant listings?
You can browse online marketplaces and watch for red flags in product listings. Common clues include:
-Product images that reveal undeclared allergens in the ingredient list.
-Illegal or banned colorants listed among the ingredients.
-Non-compliant labels, such as missing required nutrition facts or improper allergen declarations.
If you suspect a product is non-compliant, document your findings with screenshots and product links so they can be reviewed by our team.
Who is an ideal member for the network?
We welcome applicants with a professional background in the food industry, particularly those experienced in regulatory compliance, food safety, quality control, import/export, or related legal matters. Members should be committed to our mission of identifying and addressing non-compliant food products in the U.S. market.
How can I reach out to importers/producers who have non-compliant online listings?
Most online marketplaces display the seller of record within the product listing. This information can often be used to identify and contact the importer or producer directly. In addition, our network has Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place to guide members through the proper steps for detecting non-compliant listings and reaching out to the responsible parties in a professional and effective manner.
What happens if importers/producers do not recall non-compliant listings?
If an importer or producer refuses to take corrective action, we escalate the matter by involving marketplace operators and relevant authorities such as the FDA, USDA, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While the Food Import Transparency Network is not vested with police powers and cannot enforce recalls directly, we work to ensure that the appropriate regulatory bodies are informed and able to act within their authority.
What is SAHCODHA?
SAHCODHA stands for Serious Adverse Health Consequences or Death to Humans or Animals.
It’s a term used by the FDA in the context of food safety, recalls, and enforcement. If a food product is determined to present a risk that could cause serious adverse health effects or death in humans or animals, it falls under the SAHCODHA category.
-In practical terms, this designation is important because:
-It triggers the highest level of recall classification (Class I recall).
-It often results in urgent public warnings and rapid removal of the product from the market.
-It may lead to legal or enforcement action against the responsible company.
For your network’s purposes, if a non-compliant imported food meets SAHCODHA criteria, it would be a top-priority case for escalation to the FDA and other relevant authorities.
Write us at info@foodimporttransparencynetwork.org
The Food Import Transparency Network (FITN) is an independent, non-profit initiative. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or any other governmental agency. All information and actions undertaken by FITN are based on our own research, expertise, and independent judgment.