FDA Chief Focuses on Produce Safety

WASHINGTON  — Calling it "a critical time" for food safety, the Food and Drug Administration's new chief said in an Associated Press interview Tuesday that she plans to strengthen steps to prevent contamination of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Dr. Margaret Hamburg said the FDA must set and enforce tougher standards for the riskiest products — and a string of recent outbreaks linked to spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers put fresh produce atop her list as she takes over the embattled agency.

"We are focusing not on keeping a tally of how many inspections we do or how many drugs we approve but how do we make a difference in people's lives," Hamburg said.

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Source: Associated Press