The overwhelmed FDA

Boston Globe ^ | 3 June 2007 | William Hubbard

[oblomov]

THOUSANDS OF pet deaths from spiked wheat gluten, raising fears that humans could be next. Millions of shipments of imported foods from China, Vietnam, and other developing countries flooding into the country each year with no inspection by US authorities. Repeated foodborne outbreaks often resulting in deaths and severe illnesses -- from US-produced spinach, sprouts, peanut butter, and other common foods. A plummeting drop in public confidence in the government's ability to protect our food supply.

The bad news about our food seems to keep on coming, and it all points to the inevitable conclusion that the Food and Drug Administration cannot provide the protections for which it was created. What has happened to this century-old consumer protection agency that has led the way in establishing a safety net for consumer products on which Americans have so long relied?

The most common thread in FDA's declining ability to carry out its responsibilities is a steady, debilitating drop in funding. The agency is simply overwhelmed by an ever-increasing workload, constant congressional demands to do more with less, and righteous indignation when the agency fails to meet unreasonable expectations.

[khnyny]

What’s the solution, then?