Posted on 06/24/2007 5:07:25 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
In mid-March, 60 million cans and pouches of pet food were found to be tainted with melamine, a chemical used in fertilizer and plastics. The contamination was linked to wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China, and it triggered one of the largest pet food recalls ever. Globe staffer Diedtra Henderson spoke with Dr. David W.K. Acheson , the Food and Drug Administration's newly named assistant commissioner for food protection, about food safety matters.
Q You've got a tough assignment: securing the food supply as safety questions loom about pet food and feed for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and farm-raised fish and shrimp. Why take that job now?
A I love a challenge. I believe I can make a difference. I think that my background -- about 10 years as a practicing physician, specializing in infectious diseases, followed by 12 to 15 years of basic molecular research on food-borne pathogens, followed by four years in the federal government focused on public health issues -- has allowed me to gain perspectives on what is important for protecting public health.
Q Critics are tough. One editorial calls food safety laws toothless, FDA staff overworked, and inspection regimens dominated by industry. True?
A I can't specifically say whether that's true or not true. There is recognition that there is a need for some change. There are a lot of very dedicated people in the FDA who are doing the best with the resources that they have, and the authorities that they have, to maximally protect public health.
We are a reactive agency. We need to continue to do that. We need to do it faster. But we've got to shift this. We're the fire department that's gone in there once the fire has broken out. We.....
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Clinton appointed lawyers to this position...Bush a physician. I guess it is going to take someone with common sense to appoint someone in the position that has some experience in the food production safety and disease aspect of the department. I never saw a physician in a food production plant inspecting the food we are intended to eat. All of the food originated diseases come from animals....
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