New U.S.-China trade agreement calls for tighter product safety measures
to come out of it,” he said. “It’s good they are having a conversation. China will make some promises and we will make some promises and not much will come of it,” he said.
This year, $2 trillion worth of goods will be delivered into the United States by more than 825,000 importers, and HHS said experts it has queried predict that amount will triple by 2015. The government plan — some of which can be implemented through regulation and other parts will require legislation — says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should have the authority to require producers of certain high-risk foods abroad to certify that their products meet FDA standards to export to the United States. It would also increase the number of inspectors around the world and it describes closer cooperation “with foreign governments and manufacturers” to help ensure compliance with U.S. safety standards. The task force that put the plan together was assembled in July after the discovery of tainted products, including Chinese pet food, seafood, toys, tires, and toothpaste. The plan would make it illegal to sell recalled products and the Consumer Product Safety Commission would have the authority to levy fines of up to $10 million — up from $1.4 million today. The Bush administration is also seeking legal authority for the FDA to issue mandatory recalls. Currently, recall of products is voluntary.
The Consumer Federation’s Waldrop said the group believes the mandatory recall authority in particular is “a step in the right direction.” He said the Bush administration in the past was loath to ask for it. “They recognize the need” for the authority, which will have to come from Congress, Waldrop said. It is unknown whether the legislation would succeed, he added. Raine writes that the other, larger unknown is resources. The plan would have to be funded in the 2009 budget and the White House and Leavitt cannot say what the proposed funding may be. “The plan is big and comprehensive, but there’s only a sentence in it that says that resources will be needed,” said Waldrop. The Consumer Federation of America issued warnings about the food supply after a number of E. coli outbreaks, including the cases of tainted California spinach. Growers in what is called the leafy green industry responded by establishing a set of voluntary guidelines for food safety. It has long resisted regulation. “We are pushing the federal government to regulate produce and actually set standards and requirements for companies to meet those standards,” Waldrop said.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, also in Washington, which represents the world’s leading food, beverage, and consumer products companies, has endorsed the food and product safety proposals and seeks a doubling of the FDA budget over the next five years. “We are pleased that the FDA is recommending the adoption of mandatory recall authority,” said Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the association. “Because the FDA is our partner in ensuring the safety and security of the food supply, and because consumers must be able to trust the brands they buy and food they eat, we believe mandatory recall authority should be granted to the FDA,” he said.
