Agency Panel Delivers Import Safety Report

WASHINGTON—On Sept. 10, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt delivered a strategic framework on import safety to President Bush, on behalf of the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety. The President established the working group (www.ImportSafety.gov), which includes officials from 12 agencies, July 18 to examine the nation’s system for assuring all imported products are safe. The report, “Protecting American Consumers Every Step of the Way: A strategic framework for continual improvement in import safety”, suggested prevention over increased border checks, and provided a framework for future discussion, rather than specifics on costs and system changes.

Leavitt likened the current food safety program to a mere “snapshot” of what is detected during border checks, but said a new system would be more like a “video” of the entire process, including manufacturing. Among the proposed concepts were audits of overseas manufacturers/ suppliers by U.S. importers and better use of computer technology to promote sharing of import data between agencies.

This strategic framework is based on information provided by each of the member departments and agencies, as well as by a nationwide fact-finding mission by members of the working group and initial discussions with companies and groups within the diverse importing community.

“As part of this Presidential initiative, Secretary Leavitt and I have traveled extensively these past few months throughout the U.S. visiting the Agency’s field operations,” said Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., executive director of FDA. “I look forward to working with the [working] group on the Action Plan to be released in November.”