Well, we should probably move this discussion to the political forum at this point, but I do want to respond quickly. And then we'll move it. LOL
As you and I both know, the FDA, as with most all of the agencies charged with protecting the public has had it's budget slashed drastically during the past 6 years. They've had to lay off scores of compliance officers, cut back on inspections of meat, poultry, and produce production facilities. Where they were all being inspected regularly, now only a "sample" is being inspected during any one year period.
So while it's easy to blame the FDA for falling down on the job, one must look a bit further. The real blame lies at the feet of politicians who have failed to fund the agency.
That's been better under the current secretary of Health and Human resources, (where the FDA resides), Micheal Leavitt, who was appointed in 2005 after his predecessor resigned. Leavitt, (a former insurance guy and three time governor of Utah) seems to have a better grasp of his department and the multiple agencies that make it up. It's nice to see a competent guy in charge of such an important cabinet instead of one of Dubya's cronys. However, he's still severly underfunded.
Dan
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