A strategy based on risk-based prevention would replace border inspections to ensure the safety of products entering the United States under a proposal offered in November by an interagency working group formed in the wake of pet food, toothpaste and toy recalls.

One of several short- and long-term recommendations by the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety, the prevention-focused model would identify and target critical points in the import life cycle where risk is greatest. The group noted that physically inspecting every item imported would bring international trade to a standstill and divert limited resources from those items posing the greatest threat.

In conjunction with the working group’s action plan, the Food and Drug Administration has developed a comprehensive food protection plan that uses science and a risk-based approach of prevention, intervention and response to ensure the safety of domestic and imported foods.

Both plans recommend that the FDA be authorized to pursue the mandatory recall of food products. The FDA would exercise this power only when the adulterated or contaminated food poses a threat of serious health consequences or death and when a firm either refuses to undertake a voluntary recall or is not acting with sufficient speed. Under current proposals, the FDA would have the same recall power as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but would require Congressional approval first.

In related news, lawmakers in October moved forward legislation that would prohibit retailers from selling recalled products.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation gave the green light to Senate Bill 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act, which would give the Consumer Product Safety Commission greater authority, a bigger budget and more staff to police the marketplace.

The House in November proposed similar legislation. The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, House Bill 4040, resided in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce at press time. [January 2008 PET AGE]