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Imported Foods: Opportunities to Improve FDA's Inspection Program

HRD-89-88 Published: Apr 28, 1989. Publicly Released: May 15, 1989.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) imported food inspection activities, focusing on: (1) how staff responsible for inspecting imported products allocated their time; and (2) areas where FDA could improve operational efficiency.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to assess whether some district offices are more efficient and productive than others and, if so, whether the practices of the better-performing offices could benefit FDA nationwide import inspection operations.
Closed – Implemented
The FDA Office of Management and Operations found that efficiencies noted in one district could not necessarily be transferred to another office.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to determine whether the automation of the paperwork review task can be expedited.
Closed – Implemented
FDA established an automated Import Support and Information System for processing information on imported products. Eight FDA district offices utilize the system.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner, FDA, to examine the feasibility of expanding the use of centralized facilities in conjunction with the Customs Service for inspection of imported products, especially in offices whose inspectors spend a large percentage of their time travelling.
Closed – Implemented
FDA staff was encouraged to use the Custom Service's centralized examination stations whenever possible and practical. Mandatory use of such stations is inappropriate because they are co-located with entry ports.

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Topics

Agriculture and Food
Food inspectionStaff utilizationImport regulationInformation systemsLabor statisticsRegulatory agenciesSafety regulationTravelImported foodsImported products