February 11, 2010

FDA needs US$4 billion to strengthen US food safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking for US$4.03 billion for food safety and public health promotion, a 23% increase on 2010's US$3.3 billion budget.

The request includes an additional US$327 million for food safety, a 30% increase over current level of funding, which the FDA said it would use for its "Transforming Food Safety Initiative".

The initiative includes proposals for new safety standards, traceability frameworks, import safety checks, and better risk analysis to establish strengthened inspection and response capacity. The proposals mirror some of those outlined in food safety legislation awaiting consideration in the Senate.