US FDA commissioner says China is improving food, drug safety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said China is improving oversight of its exporters after a number of a complaints about substandard or tainted food and drugs, including petfood ingredients.

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said she spoke with Chinese officials on a recent visit who were pursuing a "common agenda" to improve manufacturing practices and regulation of complex supply chains for the food and drug industries.

"I leave feeling very encouraged by the partnership we've developed here," Hamburg said. "This is a priority for China as it is for the United States."

FDA set up offices in three Chinese cities and is cooperating with officials on training, joint inspections and improving accountability. Currently, less than 1% of the expected 20 million FDA-regulated products imported this year are inspected.