Word: fda
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...calling out the Food and Drug Administration for failing in its duty to ensure the safety of the nation's food, particularly its fresh fruits and vegetables. Thousands of people have been sickened; the produce industry has lost millions of dollars. After studying farms and facilities and reviewing the FDA's practices for preventing contamination, the GAO makes an urgent if predictable recommendation: the FDA's authority must be expanded and its strategy updated, or Americans' health will continued to be threatened by the food they...
...FDA's sluggish research and regulatory updates: "FDA last set its research priorities 8 years ago and has not systematically worked with others to supplement its research agenda, including research relating to fresh produce. FDA's 1998 good agricultural practices guidance has not been updated, and its current good manufacturing practice regulations for food, which includes fresh-cut produce operations, was last revised...
...FDA's staffing shortfall: "The agency's food-related funding has not kept pace with inflation, with FDA losing 800 scientists, inspectors, and other critical food safety staff since fiscal year...
...These reminders of what's at stake make the facts all the more troubling. The FDA devotes only 3% of its food-safety spending each year to fresh produce, which is especially important because it is often consumed uncooked. It examines less than 1% of produce imported into the U.S., despite the fact that the amount of imported food has grown dramatically in recent years...
...FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of 80% of the U.S. food supply. But without an arsenal of increased scientific research, expanded authority and more manpower, it's a war we're in danger of losing...