FDA to open up shop in Asia and Latin America

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States is hoping to establish offices in Asia and Latin America.

The move is part of an effort to tighten safety standards and stop tainted food products being imported into the U.S.

According to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt by the autumn agreements will hopefully be in place for the opening of three FDA offices in China, two in Latin America and one in India.

It is expected that officials will carry out inspections and exchange information on threats with local agencies in order that rapid-reaction teams can be set up to manage food scares with the aim of limiting the damage done to public health and trade. Leavitt says in such situations speed is important in dealing with a food incident.

Leavitt says the existing system is at risk of being overwhelmed as U.S. food import volumes grow and more adequate measures are needed for the future to ensure imports are safe and meet U.S. standards.

The proposal comes as health authorities continue to investigate the latest outbreak of salmonella with teams of experts being sent to Mexico and Florida to inspect farms where tomatoes may have become contaminated.

To date more than 800 people across the United States have been sickened by a salmonella outbreak from contaminated tomatoes from Mexico and Florida.

This latest food scare is just the latest in a series which has seen contaminated toothpaste, pet food, meat, spinach and a range of other food stuff hit the shelves.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says since April, 810 cases of salmonella have been reported in 36 states all caused by the same strain and raw tomatoes has been identified as the likely source of the illnesses.

The FDA said it is inspecting and investigating farms and other critical points on the supply chain where the tomatoes may have become contaminated.