Oh, yeah, Kryten, but it is even worse than that – not only do they not test they won’t let companies submit their own products for testing to enable them to pass the more rigid requirements of foreign countries. A small company that tried to have its beef tested so it could export to Japan was blocked by the FDA. Other companies complained that it would provide an unfair advantage. I can see how having your beef certified as Mad Cow free would be an advantage, but not terribly unfair.

They also harassed people who insisted on hormone and anti-biotic free milk for their products and advertised the fact.

Real interest in food safety and truth in labeling under the Hedgemony – NOT!

Susie Madrak posted this at C&L:

I’ve been predicting major food poisoning for the past eight years, and how ironic is it that the most prominent example happens only after Bush is on the way out the door?

I used to work for an FDA-compliance consulting firm, and shortly after Bush took over, the FDA called all its agents back from the field “to rewrite the field manual” (even though it was updated on a regular basis) and announced they would no longer do random inspections of facilities. In fact, the only manufacturing facilities they would inspect were the ones that were already operating under a consent order!

There was even an FDA FAQ directed at employees: Q. “Isn’t this defacto deregulation?” A.: “Of course not! We are simply trying to make the agency more efficient.” (Hint: Whenever they spell out an objection in order to deny it, it’s usually a dead giveaway.)

I was appalled. I gathered up all the supporting documentation and started making phone calls to science and business reporters: The New York Times, the Washington Post, the L.A. Times, the Boston Globe, even the trade industry publications.

No one was interested. Everyone I spoke to said they found it hard to believe that the U.S. government would risk the food and drug supply like that and treated me like a crank.

Not so far-fetched now, huh?

The Food and Drug Administration is not staffed to handle the growing complexity of food inspection, especially now that a significant amount comes from abroad and is never inspected, a leading candidate to head the embattled agency said yesterday.

Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic – and reported to be on President Barack Obama’s short list to become FDA chief – said food inspection is swamped by the FDA’s other responsibilities: the approval of medications and medical devices.

The result is an overworked and understaffed agency continually hit by sweeping food scares that sicken scores of people and sometimes result in death.

“The truth be told, the FDA is a failed agency … the main problem is that it is terribly underfunded,” Nissen said. “It needs to do more inspections, especially of foods brought in internationally. We are all very vulnerable. This has to be fixed and fixed quickly.”

Candidate for FDA Chief: Not Enough Staff to Inspect Food

Of course, and sane human that knows what’s what knows the FDA exists to protect the Corporate monopolies, not citizens. 🙂 At least, it has for the past several years.

I don’t envy anyone who get’s the top job and wants to actually make the FDA work the way the ignorant citizens *think* it works. 😀 I suspect that he will run smack into the “Resistance IS useless!” wall and I foresee many replacements will be necessary.

Oh well… back to work! 😉 (Still busy as hell for anyone interested). 😉

Steve Bates´s last blog post..About Damned Time

I thought you would be interested, Lady Min.

Those are coming next year, CK, GS Green wafers fortified with all of the nutriments of the human body.

One decent sized camping trip should take care of that, Map.

Comrade Kevin´s last blog post..The Latest Treatment Update

My cookies arrive this weekend.

LadyMin´s last blog post..What Kind of Flower are You?

I’m still mourning the loss of Little Debbie.

Steve Bates´s last blog post..The Day After