Getting to the Source of the Pet Food Contamination

Statement

Getting to the Source of the Pet Food Contamination

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement in the latest twist in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) effort to investigate the source of the pet food contamination.

"It is impossible to determine what is more disturbing about this situation - China's apparent attempt to cover up the problem by hastily closing down and cleaning the suspected facilities before U.S. inspectors arrived, or FDA's contention that China is cooperating and that consumers can feel reassured.

"Given China 's increasing role as an exporter of goods to the rest of the world, they have just as much at stake in determining the source of the contamination and reassuring the world community that Chinese products are safe. Not only should this entail strengthening regulations, but also allowing unfettered investigations.

"This also clearly highlights the need for the FDA to enter into cooperative agreements with our trading partners in order to establish food safety standards and quality controls. Had such an agreement existed between FDA and China , it could have provided U.S. inspectors easier access to the facilities in China .

"FDA's assurances that there is virtually no health risk from eating fish fed contaminated feed, does not consider the fact that food imports from China are increasing despite overwhelming concerns about their basic food safety protections. I understand the importance of diplomacy and increased trade opportunities, but protecting public health and preventing a disaster from the importation of unsafe foods should be a greater concern."

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