FDA to establish office in India
WASHINGTON: US Administration is planning to set up an office for Food and Drug Administration in India for observing safety of food products that are exported to the US.
Speaking at the United States India Business Council conference, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O Leavitt said, US administration has started talks with Indian officials for placing an official in the country in this regard.
The regulatory body's presence in India was necessary given the fact that more FDA approvals are coming out of India than any other country in the world other than the US, he said.
The recent visit of Michael O Leavitt, US Secretary of Health and Human Services and Dr Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to China and India was a pointer to the concern regarding safety of food imported into US from developing countries.
Stressing on the need for upgrading standards for food products exported to the US, Leavitt said the government alone could not set standards and implement it.
The US has in the past rejected many Indian consignments on the grounds of not meeting the food standards. The country has been facing the problem from the European Union Commission also.
The quality of various ingredients used in food items and drugs is one of the top priorities of the US administration, he said, especially since the US imports a large amount of food products and ingredients from various countries.
WASHINGTON: US Administration is planning to set up an office for Food and Drug Administration in India for observing safety of food products that are exported to the US.
Speaking at the United States India Business Council conference, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O Leavitt said, US administration has started talks with Indian officials for placing an official in the country in this regard.
The regulatory body's presence in India was necessary given the fact that more FDA approvals are coming out of India than any other country in the world other than the US, he said.
The recent visit of Michael O Leavitt, US Secretary of Health and Human Services and Dr Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to China and India was a pointer to the concern regarding safety of food imported into US from developing countries.
Stressing on the need for upgrading standards for food products exported to the US, Leavitt said the government alone could not set standards and implement it.
The US has in the past rejected many Indian consignments on the grounds of not meeting the food standards. The country has been facing the problem from the European Union Commission also.
The quality of various ingredients used in food items and drugs is one of the top priorities of the US administration, he said, especially since the US imports a large amount of food products and ingredients from various countries.