FDA to launch electronic food-screening system
The Food and Drug Administration next month will launch a high-tech food-screening program designed to thwart terrorists from poisoning the U.S. food supply.
As part of a bioterrorism law, the FDA since December 2003 has required all food import shipments to be registered in advanced. After Aug. 12, the program will expand to include a computerized risk assessment of each shipment before it reaches U.S. soil and allow the FDA to detain any package it deems potentially harmful.
"Electronic screening allows FDA to concentrate its limited inspection resources on high-risk shipment," FDA Acting Commissioner Lester Crawford told the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Friday.
The National Food and Processors Association criticized the process for not allowing "industry to import research and development samples," said FDA President John Cady.
Grocery Manufacturers of America Vice President Susan Stout suggested an exception for samples not intended for human consumption.
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