The US consumer takes it for granted that the food they purchase is safe, clean, wholesome and relatively inexpensive. Several federal and state agencies have negotiated the entry and export of agricultural products, ensuring that these products are safe, not only to humans but to agriculture as well. This type of negotiation is ongoing and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is primarily responsible for ensuring these imports do not present a risk to US agriculture, It is the role of APHIS that is discussed here, especially within the context of the treatment of biotechnology-based products.