FDA So Understaffed It Inspects Less Than One Percent Of Imported Food

[babylonsister]

100 days later, nation waits for FDA overhaul
Tom Costello


The Food and Drug Administration may be the only federal agency that both political parties agree is in desperate need of an overhaul.

President Barack Obama is promising action, though progress has been slow in the first 100 days. His choice to head the FDA — Dr. Margaret Hamburg — still has not been confirmed by congress.

Assuming Hamburg is confirmed, she will head an agency whose own Science Board concluded more than two years ago “is at risk of failing to carry out its mandate, leaving our citizens at risk of grievous harm.”

The FDA is responsible for overseeing the safety of the nation’s foods, drugs, medical devices and consumer products. In each of those areas, the agency is widely regarded as having fallen down on the job.

But its biggest black eye comes from the way the agency has handled its food safety responsibilities.

Safety of the food supply

The president has promised to act quickly to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply, following the most recent salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter that has sickened nearly 500 people and killed 10.

That outbreak follows others involving baby formula, pet food, spinach, jalapenos, cooked ham, anchovies — and the list goes on.

more...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30388073/

[lpbk2713]

1. I've heard the same about the CPSC.

*Consumer Product Safety Commission.


We're screwn. :eyes:

[Turbineguy]

2. Bush's mandate was to break government.

It's going to take more than 100 days to fix.

[Richard Steele]

7. That's about the size of it. nm

[indepat]

3. Just another example of 'pukes keeping us safe

:P

[robinlynne]

4. HOw about let's stop importing food for a while? I can think of 20 reasons why it is a good

idea, this being one of them!

[roody]

5. I avoid eating imported food.

It is not too hard since I don't eat meat or fish.

[MadMaddie]

9. I shop at a local market who gets its meat and vegetables

only from local farmers in WA.

[OhioChick]

10. Absolutely. n/t

[Nikia]

12. Many spices and some produce are grown primarily in other countries

Because they have been traditionally grown there and are better suited to those particuliar climates. The US, being a large country, does have more climates than most, but the prices on some products would go through the roof and others would be unavailable if we suddenly stopped importing food.

[bluesmail]

6. My guess it's intentional. woops wait a sec

:tinfoilhat: That makes me feel better.

[MadMaddie]

8. I am waiting for the Media and the right wing to blame Obama

for this.....

Apparantly under * there were more federal jobs that remained empty because they wouldn't hire anyone who wasn't extrem enough for them.

[Triana]

11. This is a national security issue. A HUGE one that bu$hit, Inc. IGNORED...

...and that's why our damn food isn't safe.