WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, announced it is requesting almost $2.4 billion to protect and promote public health as a part of the president’s fiscal year 2009 budget.
This represents a 5.7 percent increase over the budget for the current year and includes $42.2 million for protecting the food supply. Some industry groups are saying the increases are not enough.
"The president’s proposal to increase FDA food-related spending by $32 million does little more than cover the cost of inflation and falls short of what is ultimately needed to make certain FDA has the tools it needs to get the job done," said Cal Dooley, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. "However, we are confident that Congress will provide the necessary resources to rebuild FDA’s scientific capacity
"America enjoys the world’s safest food supply, but rising imports and changing consumer preferences pose new challenges for the food industry and for the FDA Like national defense, highways and bridges, food safety is a benefit every American has a right to expect. We urge the administration and Congress to increase FDA funding from general revenue and reject any new food taxes — especially at a time of economic uncertainty."
The FDA said the increases in the budget will allow the agency to focus on the most important food defense and food safety issues throughout the entire life cycle of foods and that the FDA will devote more workforce and resources to food production and handling sites in 2009.
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