DeLauro - optimistic for change at FDA

From the office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro:

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement on a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which continues to include federal oversight of food safety as “high risk” to the economy and public health and safety. The GAO has conducted the high risk series since 1990.

“In watching how the Food and Drug Administration has handled the recent salmonella outbreaks affecting peanut butter and peppers, it is no surprise that federal oversight of food safety continues to be included in the Government Accountability Office high-risk series.

“This report notes that ‘this fragmented federal oversight of food safety has caused inconsistent oversight, ineffective coordination, and inefficient use of resources.” As a result, it further substantiates the need to overhaul not only the structure of our food safety system, but also modernize our food safety laws and regulations – an avenue I will pursue when I reintroduce the Food Safety Modernization Act in the next few weeks.

“While food safety remains part of the high-risk series, I am optimistic, that working with the newly-installed Obama Administration, we can bring change to our food safety system. Together we will refocus our food safety system to once again prioritize public health.”

DeLauro will soon reintroduce, the Food Safety Modernization Act, which would not only modernize our food safety laws, but also restructure food safety efforts by splitting the FDA into two separate agencies – dividing the food safety responsibilities from the drug and device safety responsibilities.