What is a sanitary certificate/health certificate and which agency issues it?

• A. A document certifying the health status of animals or animal products for import; issued by FDA.
• B. A certificate of origin for food products; issued by CDC.
• C. A document certifying the health status of animals or animal products for import; issued by USDA APHIS.
• D. A permit for commercial feed additives; issued by FSIS.

Answer: (C)

A sanitary certificate or health certificate is a document that accompanies animal shipments to verify their health status and freedom from specified diseases, ensuring they meet the importing country’s requirements. The agency responsible for issuing this certificate is USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), which oversees animal health programs and the regulatory framework for importing and exporting animals and animal products. In practice, the exporting country’s official veterinarian typically prepares the certificate, and APHIS provides endorsement or authorization for entry into the United States. Other agencies don’t issue this type of certificate: FDA handles safety of foods, drugs, and cosmetics; CDC handles public health surveillance and disease control; and FSIS regulates meat, poultry, and egg products within the U.S. and issues different kinds of permits rather than general sanitary certificates for import.