Report: House probes food-testing labs

WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congress is investigating allegations that private U.S. testing labs have buried unfavorable results on imported food.

The Chicago Tribune said Tuesday that the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce has sent letters to 10 labs inquiring about reports that some labs have discarded tests on products that failed to meet U.S. standards.

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of the subcommittee that investigates food companies and testing labs, said in the letter that there were allegations that the products would be tested until they passed.

"We're gathering information from both the FDA and private industry about the labs almost being complicit in helping importers game the system," Stupak said in the letter. "Someone told us you pay for the result you want to get from the labs."

The Tribune said about 50 major U.S. food companies have been asked to submit records on product imports and recalls dating to 2000.