FDA Opens Beijing Inspection Office

BEIJING — The United States opened a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in the Chinese capital on Wednesday, the first of several overseas offices aimed at regulating the safety of imported food and medicine.

The opening follows a string of scandals involving contaminated Chinese-made toothpaste, pet food, drugs and milk. In the coming months, the F.D.A. plans to open inspection stations in Shanghai and Guangzhou; offices are also to be opened in India and Latin America.

“We’re opening up a new era, not just new offices,” said Mike Leavitt, the secretary of Health and Human Services, in announcing “a permanent F.D.A. presence in China.”

The United States imported more than $321 billion worth of goods from China last year, and Mr. Leavitt acknowledged Tuesday that it’s “clear you cannot inspect everything.” He said the goal of the new offices was to ensure safety standards and quality controls in foodstuffs and consumer goods “at the point of manufacture.”

All three outlets will work with Chinese counterpart agencies to inspect products bound for the United States. They also will certify third-party inspectors who can approve the quality and safety of exports.

Source: New York Times