FDA backs proposal for US industry fees to fund food inspections

Newly appointed FDA commissioner Dr Margaret Hamburg said she supported a proposal made in the Democrat-sponsored bill for companies to pay $1,000 per facility to fund safety checks by the agency. Under the proposals, the FDA would be required to inspect every food facility in the country at least once every four years, with high-risk ones being inspected every 18 months.

Fees important for food safety​

Speaking to the Congressional House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, the FDA chief said: "I understand that fees represent a burden on companies ... but I do think that fee is an investment in a robust and effective food safety system. It's a very important component of any food safety plan that Congress would enact.”​

It is estimated the charge, which would be used to boost the number of plant inspections, would raise $378m annually.

Representative Henry Waxman, chairman of the full House Energy and Commerce committee and one of the proponents of the bill, said the fees were needed to help the cash-starved FDA carry out its duties.

"Faced with such a dire situation I think it is reasonable to ask the food industry to chip in,"​ he said. "A robust food safety oversight system would provide a great benefit to industry by preventing future outbreaks and rebuilding consumer confidence."​

However, Hamburg said that even implementing the fee system would not be enough to make up the FDA's funding shortfall but labelled the proposals as “a major step in the right direction”.​

“They are wonderful goals but we have to be realistic about what resources are needed,”​ she said after the hearing.​

Opposition to charges​

But industry bodies and Republican politicians were quick to protest against the proposed tariffs citing concerns the cash could be used for FDA programmes unconnected with food safety.

Representative Nathan Deal said: “I believe it will be premature to impose significant fees on industry and in turn the American consumer without a reference as to how much funding is actually needed."​

Grocery Manufacturers Association president Pamela G. Bailey told the committee that the industry was concerned about the size of the proposed fees and their possible effect on the credibility of the FDA.

“Our industry is ultimately responsible for the safety of its products but securing the safety of the food supply is a government function which should be largely financed with government resources,”​ she said in a written statement to the committee.

The American Frozen Food Institute said food safety was its highest priority and was supportive of many provisions in the bill. However, it expressed a “strong desire”​ to modify the provision on fees, traceability requirement s and country of origin labelling.