FDA Slacking On Audits

The Food and Drug Administration conducted only about half the state food safety audits it promised in the two years before the recent peanut salmonella outbreak, the AP is reporting. In addition, the FDA was unable to say whether or not audits occured in states like Georgia and Texas, where the deadly salmonella was found. In fact, only 14 states saw 100 percent of the audits completed! According to the AP, a summary of audits for 2007-2008 shows the total number of state contract inspections at 10,218, with only 358 audits completed — that's about 3.5 percent.

Congress has shown considerable interest in reforming the hurting FDA, and many food-safety bills are currently on the table.

To read more, access the AP article here