Clinton sends cable on food safety
February 18, 2011 | 06:47 PM | Filed in: Food safety Food and Drug Administration
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today sent U.S. overseas missions a cable detailing plans to implement the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act that Congress passed in December and President Obama signed in early January.
The Hagstrom Report obtained a copy of the cable.
Clinton said the FDA will hold an informational session for diplomats in Washington on Feb. 23 and also will hold a briefing in Geneva on March 29 before a meeting of the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee. The U.S. government will seek public comment on the regulations and follow WTO procedures when issuing new regulations and guidance, she said.
The new law affects inspection of almost all food in the United States except the meat, poultry and egg products that are handled by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
In a “talking points section” of the cable, Clinton noted that the law “enhances” FDA’s ability to oversee food products coming into the United States, permits FDA to block entrance from facilities that refuse to be inspected, and requires U.S. importers to verify the safety of food from their suppliers. The cable said the new import authorities will affect an estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply that is imported, including 50 percent of fresh fruits, 20 percent of fresh vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.
Clinton directed U.S. diplomats and their contacts overseas to the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Web page for further information.
The Hagstrom Report obtained a copy of the cable.
Clinton said the FDA will hold an informational session for diplomats in Washington on Feb. 23 and also will hold a briefing in Geneva on March 29 before a meeting of the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee. The U.S. government will seek public comment on the regulations and follow WTO procedures when issuing new regulations and guidance, she said.
The new law affects inspection of almost all food in the United States except the meat, poultry and egg products that are handled by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
In a “talking points section” of the cable, Clinton noted that the law “enhances” FDA’s ability to oversee food products coming into the United States, permits FDA to block entrance from facilities that refuse to be inspected, and requires U.S. importers to verify the safety of food from their suppliers. The cable said the new import authorities will affect an estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply that is imported, including 50 percent of fresh fruits, 20 percent of fresh vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.
Clinton directed U.S. diplomats and their contacts overseas to the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Web page for further information.
