There have been concerns that Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures can act as a barrier to trade and thus impede the export of agricultural and food products to developed countries. To a large extent, this reflects poor access to compliance resources, including scientific and technical expertise, information and finance. In 1994, developed countries collectively accounted for 72.5% of the total world imports of agricultural products (UNCTAD 1998). This paper explores the impact of the SPS Agreement on food safety and examines some developing food safety issues. The basic rules for food safety as set out by the SPS Agreement are highlighted and the standards by different regulatory and advisory bodies are outlined. Some of the problems and challenges that developing countries experience in meeting SPS standards in food safety are identified.