DeLauro Reaction to FDA Food Facility Inspections Report

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today released the following statement in response to the report from the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services on food facility inspections carried out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Among the statistics listed, the report shows that between the fiscal years of 2004 and 2008, the FDA inspected only 24 percent of the food facilities under its jurisdiction, and the number of inspections carried out over this time declined. Additionally, more than half of the food facilities the FDA is responsible for have gone 5 or more years without an FDA inspection.

Congresswoman DeLauro said, "The findings in this report are unacceptable and should serve as an urgent reminder of the glaring weaknesses in our food safety system. The FDA should be inspecting all of the facilities it is responsible for— with no exceptions. Congress needs to act quickly to pass stronger food safety legislation this year, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to better protect American consumers."