WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- Federal officials Monday announced the creation of a Web site to provide a way for officials and individuals to report food and drug safety problems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health said the Web site will provide a way of reporting pre- and post-market safety data to the federal government. Currently, the Web site can be used to report safety problems related to foods, including animal feed, and animal drugs, as well as adverse events occurring on human gene transfer trials. Consumers can also use the site to report problems with pet foods and pet treats.
Officials said the new site, called the Safety Reporting Portal, provides greater and easier access to online reporting.
"The portal will be a key detection tool in improving the country's nationwide surveillance system and will strengthen our ability to protect the nation's health," said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.
Officials said the Web site will eventually provide a common electronic reporting system that will allow an individual to file a single report to multiple agencies that might have an interest in an event.
Until then the new portal redirects individuals who want to submit reports about other products regulated by the FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency or the Consumer Product Safety Commission to the appropriate contact.
The portal is available at https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=DC923F87B3AACE5C64709DDA2E1DD64086AC9188.
