Genevieve Long: Citizen Reporter

• FDA Gaps Leave U.S. Vulnerable to Melamine Contamination

  By Genevieve Long 

  Melamine-contaminated ingredients and products from China may be on their way to or already in the hands of U.S. consumers. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the government entity which monitors the importing of dairy products, is not well-positioned to find, detain, or remove most contaminated products.

  In September, over 53,000 illnesses and at least four deaths were reported in China from consuming the toxic chemical in milk products. The outbreak has raised concerns worldwide and exposed a gaping hole in the U.S. government's ability to monitor and test imported products with milk or milk derivatives in them.

  Critics of the FDA, which inspects less than one percent of imports a year, say the few safeguards in place are not enough to protect consumers.

  "Product liability is protecting us more than what the FDA is doing," says Carl Nielsen, former Director of Imports for the FDA from 1999-2005. "It is an ...read full post

  
  
  Comments (0)  |  December 5, 2008

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