The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actively working on behalf of American taxpayers to protect the Federal investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as the Food Stamps Program). Americans support helping families in need put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. There are over 45 million people currently receiving SNAP benefits.

One of USDA's top priorities is to further strengthen the integrity of SNAP and root out waste, fraud and abuse so that Federal dollars are used appropriately. Over 230,000 participating retailers play a critical role in both welcoming and offering health and nutritious food options to SNAP clients and their families. Trafficking of SNAP benefits must ultimately involve both a recipient and a SNAP-authorized retailer. Bad actors in the retail community are rare; the vast majority of authorized stores operate by the rules and further the Program's nutrition assistance mission. But those that would take advantage of both the taxpayer and the SNAP participant should and will be held accountable.

USDA is using all available resources - from state-of-the-art technology to undercover investigations - to reduce and prevent trafficking and prosecuting abuses to the fullest extent of the law. In fiscal year 2011, FNS investigated thousands of stores suspected of program violations, and over 2,100 stores were sanctioned. Further, FNS is using the authority provided in the 2008 Farm Bill to implement tougher penalties for violating retailers.

Protect your ability to participate in SNAP by ensuring that your employees are aware of the purchasing rules of the program, and remind them that trafficking in SNAP benefits could produce extremely serious consequences.

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has proposed a new food labeling rule which will allow companies to use new labels or modify labels without first submitting such labels to the FSIS.

However, all mandatory label features would still need to comply with FSIS regulations. FSIS will continue to verify that labels are accurate, not misleading, and in compliance with all labeling features.

According to the FSIS, the new rule, which seeks to modify the agency's generic label approval process, is expected to benefit consumers as it will get new products into the marketplace sooner, while still ensuring that they are not misbranded.

In addition, it would benefit the food industry, especially smaller producers, as the rule is more convenient and cost-effective.

Department of Agriculture food safety undersecretary Elisabeth Hagen said that it is important to make the labeling process more effective and efficient, while still ensuring consumers have the best information available when shopping for food.