FDA panel says U.S. food supply at risk

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A subcommittee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's science board says the nation's food supply is at risk, as are the FDA's regulatory systems.

The subcommittee, in a report to be officially released Tuesday, attributes the deficiencies to soaring demands on the FDA, as well as a lack of resources that have not increased in proportion to the demands.

The experts concluded "this imbalance is imposing a significant risk to the integrity of the food, drug, cosmetic and device regulatory system, and hence the safety of the public."

The result of the yearlong review is a 300-page report that urges an increase in funding the agency to hire a broadly-capable scientific workforce and build a sophisticated, modern information technology infrastructure.

"That (the FDA) needs more resources should be obvious," said Dr. Jane Henney, a former FDA commissioner and now senior vice president and provost for health affairs at the University of Cincinnati.

"What makes this report so extraordinary is the qualifications of the individuals who wrote it, the yearlong process to put it together, and the depth of analysis that supports its conclusion: FDA's mission is at risk for lack of support for its scientific capabilities."

The report is available at http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/briefing/2007-4329b_02_00_index.html.