Third Energy Hearing on the FDA and Food Safety

The Energy Subcommittee on Oversight is currently holding the third of three hearings, "Diminished Capacity: Can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation's Food Supply? -- Part III." Senior Committee Investigator David Nelson testifies on behalf of all of the investigators about their trip and inquiry in China. The Gavel covered Part II in July.

Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak gives opening remarks:

Chairman Stupak: "This subcommittee has already uncovered evidence of the FDA's ability to squander resources through giving excessive bonuses to personnel at headquarters, attempting to consolidate decision-making at headquarters instead of deploying urgently-needed resources in the field, and the fraudulent abuse of religious leave. Simply put, the FDA must use its resources more wisely to accomplish its mandate of protecting the nation's food supply. American consumption of imported food will rise in the future. Now more than ever, our country's food safety system must be strong enough to protect our health, our national security, and our economy."

Senior Committee Investigator David Nelson testifies on behalf of all of the investigators about their trip and inquiry in China:

David Nelson: "Based on information gathered before and during the trip the staff has made the following observations. First, the Chinese food supply chain does not meet international safety standards. It is in fact responsible for very serious domestic Chinese food poisoning outbreaks. Second, the Chinese government appears to determined to avoid embarrassing food safety outbreaks in its export markets due to the damaging and potentially lasting effect this would have upon the 'Made in China' branding. Third, the lack of meaningful internal regulation of farming and food processing in China, the advanced development of the document counterfeiting industry, and the willingness of some entrepreneurs in both China and the united states to smuggle food stuffs that do not meet quality standards necessitates a much more vigorous program of inspection and laboratory testing in China and at US ports of entry than the Food and Drug Administration has been willing or able to pursue to date."