FDA Fees Eyed to Boost Food, Drug Safety
Thursday draft legislation released what is aimed at improving the safety of the nation's food and drug supply - new fees for food and drug companies.
The draft legislation says regulators should inspect food and drug makers more frequently, it was spearheaded by Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich. and other Democratic leaders of a powerful House committee.
If enacted, the proposal would lead to major changes in the drug and food oversight, and it was quick to draw rebukes.
The Grocery Manufactures Association vice president, Scott Faber said, "we should not be taxing food companies at a time of record food prices. Congress ought to provide the (Food and Drug Administration) with ample funding and not pass that cost on to companies and consumers."
The proposed legislation would require each facility that exports food to the USA would have to pay $2000 per facility per year to register. The fee would generate about $600 million, more than doubling the FDA's current food safety budget.
Every four years, the FDA would have to inspect food plants and those plants' food-safety plans. Lawmakers have said food plants, on average, get inspected once every 10 years.
The first hearing on the draft is set for April 24. Others are expected with final legislation to follow.
