The FDA starts new food safety program

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched a national program aimed at strengthening food safety projects maintained by the states.

FDA officials said the program is designed to bring about the adoption of more uniform, equivalent and high-quality regulatory programs by state agencies responsible for regulating the facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food under FDA's jurisdiction.

"This risk-based program represents a significant step in further integrating our food safety system," said Margaret Glavin, FDA's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. "We realize it will be several years before it's fully implemented but we're confident this program will bring great benefits to the public health."

Programmatic activities can vary from state to state and such variations can lead to inconsistencies in oversight of food safety, the FDA said. The governmental agency said adoption of voluntary standards for state regulatory programs will establish a uniform basis for regulating manufactured food and help state and federal authorities reduce food-borne illness hazards.

The FDA regulates about 80 percent of the nation's food supply, with the exception of meat, poultry and egg products which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.