WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to a recent report by the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, between 2004 and 2008, FDA inspected fewer than half of the 51,229 facilities under its regulation. During that same time period, the number of regulatory actions triggered by inspections fell from 614.
“If the FDA does not routinely inspect food facilities, it is unable to guarantee that these facilities are complying with applicable laws and regulations,” noted the inspector general.
Critics of the existing regulatory system, including the Government Accountability Office, the Obama Administration, consumer groups, and food-industry associations, have routinely noted that FDA lacks adequate resources and modern enforcement tools to properly do its job.
After taking office, President Obama and his administration have increased funding for FDA, which has subsequently intensified inspection efforts.
