Calls to integrate the regulatory oversight of the U.S. food system have been echoed for decades through studies, reports, and policy forums—yet meaningful change has remained elusive. While the FDA’s recent creation of the Office of Inspections and Investigations marks an important step toward more coordinated oversight, the USDA’s FSIS still lacks a parallel structure, and significant gaps persist across the broader food protection landscape. From food safety and quality to food defense, integrity, and physical and digital security, the system continues to operate in silos. This fragmentation not only creates regulatory confusion for industry stakeholders but also fuels inconsistent enforcement and mixed messages for consumers—exemplified by the widely cited disparity in how cheese and pepperoni pizzas are regulated by different federal agencies. This session will convene leaders from regulatory agencies, industry, academia, and NGOs to explore the structural and operational challenges that continue to hinder integration. Through their collective insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of what a truly unified, risk-based food protection system could look like, why such a system is needed now more than ever, and how emerging solutions—both policy-based and practical—can help close longstanding gaps. By moving beyond agency silos and outdated jurisdictional lines, this session challenges participants to rethink what it means to protect the food supply and to consider how collaboration can turn complexity into clarity. This is the next step in seeing the forest through the trees—and laying the groundwork for a smarter, more resilient food protection system.