FDA steps up safety of food imports

The melamine scandal in China has heightened concern over the safety of food imports. And, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to do something about it.

The agency will place more than 60 FDA regulators worldwide in the coming year to step up the safety of food imports. An office in China is expected to be established by the end of the year.

The agency also plans to focus on imports from India, Latin America and the Middle East.

This is a significant change from the previous practice of sending inspectors out on individual assignments.

Officials expect the plan to cost about $30 million the first year.

Source: Wall Street Journal

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