Prominent food scares and changes in the international trading environment have brought food safety to the forefront of international agri-food policy concerns. Recent trends include an increased emphasis on food safety regulations in international trade, a tightening of standards in the North, a reorientation of private sector quality assurance techniques towards preventive management, and a corresponding shift by regulatory agencies toward process-based standards including “mandatory HACCP.” There is also a new focus on consumers' role in the food safety equation, both as actors in the supply chain and as advocates, and an increased spotlight on scientific methods for assessing food-borne risk. Drawing on the 24 papers presented at an international workshop held in December 2000 and on workshop discussions, this article looks at the consequences of these trends for developing countries, and raises questions for future directions by the range of actors: governments, industry, consumers, scientists, and developing country partners.