FDA Finally Decides to Send Inspectors Overseas

The FDA is opening its first overseas office.  The new office will be located in China.  This is an obvious attempt on the part of the FDA to better guard the American consumer against contaminated products coming from China.  In just the last year, contaminated animal feed, counterfeit drugs, toys made with lead paint, and dairy products containing melamine have all arrived on American shores from China.

The FDA will initially have eight American employees and some Chinese hires in three separate offices throughout China.  With this tiny staff, the FDA intends to certify inspections of U.S.-bound Chinese exports.  The FDA says that third-party certifiers will also be allowed, either private commercial labs or Chinese government agencies working under the supervision and oversight of the FDA.