U.S. FDA, Chinese officials meet in China

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach has met with Chinese health officials to discuss the safety of imports.

Eschenbach met with Dr. Zhu Chen, China's minister of health, and other senior Chinese government officials last week in Beijing to discuss safety issues involving the importation of food, feed, drugs and medical devices.

The FDA said von Eschenbach also met with Shao Mingli, commissioner of China’s State Food and Drug Administration and Chuanzhong Wei, vice minister of the Chinese General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

"Our discussions were very productive," said von Eschenbach, who described the three Chinese officials as "distinguished leaders, who are, like me, dedicated to enhancing the health of the men, women, and children we each serve, and to protecting the safety of our food supply and chain of medical and pharmaceutical products."

"We are all deeply committed to enhancing the health of the publics we serve," he added.