FDA Head Urges Lawmakers to Pass Legislation Mandating Lead Testing by Food Manufacturers

The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging lawmakers to pass legislation mandating food manufacturers test for lead in their food products from overseas. Speaking to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Dr. Robert Califf said the FDA needs lawmakers to enact legislation granting the agency authority to make lead testing compulsory among such manufacturers, as it is unable to do so alone. Under current laws, manufacturers are not required to test final products for contaminants before entering the U.S. market. “I think the best way to think about the FDA in general is that we’re referees, you all in Congress actually write the rule book; much like in any sport it’s the leadership that writes the rule book and we enact what’s in the rule book,” Dr. Califf said. “In the case of food establishments, like most sports, the first line of defense is the players in the game which is the industry that produces the products,” he continued....