FDA tightens rules for food importers’ use of private sampling labs

FDA tightens rules for food importers’ use of private sampling labs    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will tighten its oversight of the use of private sampling services and laboratories involved with food imports.
   The new regulations will require samples to be properly identified, collected and maintained. They also mandate that private laboratories use validated or recognized analytical methods and submit their results directly to the FDA.
   The proposed rules also require importers to provide notice to FDA about the use of private laboratories to sample and test food that is subject to an FDA enforcement action.
   “When it is finalized, this regulation will add an important building block to the FDA regulatory wall that helps to keep suspect food from harming our consumers,” said Lester M. Crawford, acting FDA commissioner, in a statement.
   Last year, U.S. imports of food reached more than 6 million shipments. FDA estimates that importers hire more than 100 private laboratories to generate analytical data to support their claims that imported food products comply with U.S. laws.