FDA inspections of food plants, enforcement down, officials say - Washington Post

FDA inspections of food plants, enforcement down, officials say

The number of federal inspections of food-manufacturing facilities, and enforcement actions triggered by those inspections, has decreased, a government auditor reported Tuesday. Officials blamed the situation on inadequate staffing and resources.

Between fiscal 2004 and 2008, the Food and Drug Administration inspected fewer than half of the 51,229 facilities that it regulates, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services said.

In addition, the number of regulatory actions prompted by inspections fell from 614 in fiscal 2004 to 283 in fiscal 2008, the report found.

"If the FDA does not routinely inspect food facilities, it is unable to guarantee that these facilities are complying with applicable laws and regulations," the inspector general reported.

The finding echoed complaints by congressional critics, the Government Accountability Office, consumer groups, industry associations and President Obama, who have said the FDA lacks modern enforcement tools and adequate resources to keep the nation's food supply safe. Since taking office, the Obama administration has increased funding for the FDA, and the agency has stepped up enforcement activity.

A major food-safety bill pending on Capitol Hill would require regular inspections for all food facilities and give the FDA significant new enforcement powers. The bill easily passed the House in July but has been stuck in the Senate. Food-safety laws have not changed markedly since 1938, when Congress gave the FDA the power to oversee the safety of most foods, as well as drugs and cosmetics.
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Michael R. Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, said the inspector general's report makes the case for the bill's passage.

"We need legislation that will direct us and empower us to be proactive, not reactive," he said. "The legislation pending in Congress will open up entirely new and much more effective ways to do prevention."

Hog lift remembered

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today helped commemorate the 50th anniversary of a 1959 "hog lift" in which Iowa farmers sent 36 hogs to Yamanashi Prefecture after Japan suffered major livestock losses caused by two destructive typhoons. Three years later, the original 36 hogs had multiplied to more than 500.
"The sister-state friendship that was formed 50 years ago between Iowa and Yamanashi reminds us of the benefits of cooperation and trade," said Vilsack. "Being here today to celebrate that special relationship inspires us to continue working together for our mutual prosperity and economic health. I have emphasized this important point throughout my visit to Japan-we want our traditionally robust trade relationship to continue to grow and we will continue to work with our Japanese friends to make that happen."
Vilsack's participation in the day-long celebration began with a two-hour charter train ride from Shinjuku train station to Kofu with nearly 100 passengers on board, including an Iowa-Yamanashi sister-state delegation, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, U.S. trade groups and the media. A "friendship bento" box lunch was served featuring U.S. pork and other food ingredients from both countries to signify the U.S.-Japan agricultural relationship.

Upon arrival in Kofu, the Secretary and his delegation were greeted by local school children playing traditional Japanese taiko drums and Yamanashi Governor Shomei Yokouchi and other Prefecture officials. After briefly visiting the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, Vilsack, Iowa Governor Bill Northey, U.S. Ambassador Roos and Yamanashi Governor Yokouchi ceremonially planted an oak tree-Iowa's official state tree-on the Museum's ground to recognize the longstanding friendship between the two states and countries.

Later that afternoon, Vilsack spoke at the 50th anniversary ceremony and discussed how the 50th Anniversary encapsulates the friendship and mutually beneficial relationship that the United States and Japan have enjoyed over many decades. Festivities also included Vilsack co-presenting an award to the winner of the Yamanashi recipe contest.

Vilsack arrived in Tokyo, Japan, on April 6 to promote stronger ties between the United States and Japan in the area of agriculture, as part of President Obama's efforts to expand U.S. exports. While in Japan, Vilsack met with the Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hirotaka Akamatsu, as well as U.S. exporters and Japanese importers.

Vilsack gave a keynote address on April 7 at a Global Food Security Symposium sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council and met with Japanese university students at the American Embassy in Tokyo in a Town Hall meeting. Before returning to the United States on April 9, Vilsack will give a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Tokyo.

Japan is the United States' third largest export market with sales of more than $11 billion in fiscal year 2009. The top five U.S. agricultural commodities shipped to Japan are coarse grains, red meats, soybeans, feeds and fodders and processed fruits and vegetables.

Updates on Vilsack's trip to Japan are at http://www.usda.gov