Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (2024)

FAQs

What does the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services do? ›

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food.

If you cannot determine who might assist you with your problem, call the Division of Consumer Services at 800-435-7352. The other state agency with general consumer interest responsibilities is the Florida Department of Legal Affairs of the Florida Attorney General.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General is the civil enforcement authority for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and related laws.

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

The USDA is responsible for overseeing farming, ranching, and forestry industries, as well as regulating aspects of food quality and safety and nutrition labeling. The USDA is further tasked with administering several social welfare programs including free school lunches and food stamps.

A delinquency notice (Notice of Delinquency) is issued when a return is not filed and a bill (Notice of Amount Due) is issued when a return is filed late or additional money is due. The delinquency notice indicates a return has not been filed, while the initial bill contains a breakdown of the additional amount due.

The Consumer Services Unit (CSU) is where the complaint process begins. It is the central intake for all complaints, including complaints alleging the practice of a healthcare profession or the operation of facilities/establishments without the appropriate license.

File a complaint with your local consumer protection office. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve complaints against companies. If you think you may have experienced a scam, report it to the FTC.

Where do I file a complaint against a company in Florida? ›

Florida Attorney General's hotline helps victims of any type of fraud or unfair trade practices get the assistance they need; toll-Free 1-866-966-7226. Once at the Florida Bar website, click on "Consumer Services;" also see fee arbitration program, fee mediation program.

As the nation's consumer protection agency, the FTC takes reports about scammers that cheat people out of money and businesses that don't make good on their promises. We share these reports with our law enforcement partners and use them to investigate fraud and eliminate unfair business practices.

Our agencies help to keep America's farmers and ranchers in business and ensure that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.

The Consumer Services Unit (CSU) is where the complaint process begins. It is the central intake for all complaints, including complaints alleging the practice of a healthcare profession or the operation of facilities/establishments without the appropriate license.

From the inspection of domestic product, imports, and exports; conducting risk assessments; and educating the public about the importance of food safety, USDA is there.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation's mission is to be “One voice advocating for viable farm families and enriching the quality of life for all Floridians.” The vision of Florida Farm Bureau is to be “The Voice of Florida Agriculture.” Our policy positions reflect the values and opinions shared by most Floridians.