FDA to Ramp Up Unannounced Inspections at Foreign Facilities

The agency conducts thousands of inspections outside the United States each year, but many are told ahead of time.

Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, speaks in Washington on May 5, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be conducting more unannounced inspections at facilities outside the country, the agency announced on May 6.

The FDA conducts about 3,000 inspections of foreign facilities each year, but many facility operators are informed of the inspections weeks or even months ahead of time.