The Inspector General (IG) of HHS (Health and Human Services) has issued an investigative report which points to serious flaws in USFDA's administration of recalls of imported foods.  The IG surveyed FDA's performance on 17 of the 40 Class I Food Recalls between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

According to the Report, FDA: (1) failed to conduct inspections or obtain complete information in 14 of the 17 recalls; (2) failed to conduct audit checks in 5 of 17 and was incomplete or untimely in the remaining 12; (3) did not review recall strategies or promptly issue notification letters in all 17; (4) did not witness or properly document product destruction in 13 of 17.

This dismal performance evaluation comes at the time that the FDA is under severe pressure to implement the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) at the same time as having to adjust to major budget cuts.

The full report - Review of the Food and Drug Administration's Monitoring of Imported Food Recalls - is posted below: