FDA, NIH launch food safety reporting site -- pets included

The FDA and National Institutes of Health (NIH) rolled out their food safety reporting portal yesterday. And just like the Ark, the animals were on board.



The new website allows consumers, veterinarians as well as members of industry, government or the human public health system to report food safety problems, as well as problems with animal drugs.  In fact, it implies it's our patriotic duty to do so:

The Safety Reporting Portal (SRP) streamlines the process of reporting product safety issues to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).



Whatever your role, (manufacturer, health care professional, researcher, public health official, or concerned citizen), when you submit a safety report through this Portal, you make a vital contribution to the safety of America's food supply, medicines, and other products that touch us all.

I honestly have no idea if this is going to improve food and drug safety in the United States. But I have to say that not only the fact that food and drugs for animals are included in such a matter-of-fact way, but that the connection of the human and animal food systems is clearly acknowledged, is encouraging.



Go kick it around, tell us what you think!

Comments

[YesBiscuit!]

I'm remembering during the 2007 pet food recall when FDA said it had received hundreds of phone calls from pet owners and most all of them were not followed up on. When asked when they would be following up on the calls I believe FDA's response was something along the lines of "meh".

[Liz Palika]

Hmmm.....it sounds like it could potentially be good. Unfortunately I'm somewhat(?) jaded and skeptical. We'll see.

[H. Houlahan]

So, reports go in -- to where?



If the site included an unfiltered log so that citizens could see that reports were being filed, that would be one thing.



If they just spiral into a black hole -- that's another.



I report violators of the telephone DNC list to the FCC all the time. Have never heard a thing back, though a google search will show that the ones who call me are persistent violators.

[Therese]

"meh." Are you sure, YesBiscuit? I don't remember the FDA's response being that enthusiastic.

[YesBiscuit!]

hehe, I guess that's my rose colored glasses version of *snore*.