The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday (19 November) opened an office in Beijing, in a move designed to improve the safety of Chinese food imports.

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The FDA will also open offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou this week, employing eight staff across the three locations.


Under agreements signed in December 2007, the US is already allowed to inspect Chinese food makers exporting to the US. However, officials admitted to just-food that the small permanent staff would have limited inspection capabilities. 


The FDA’s presence will speed co-operation with local authorities, said the US Department for Health and Human Services. The FDA will also help the Chinese government improve its regulatory systems for exports.


Speaking at the opening ceremony in Beijing, Secretary Michael Leavitt said: “By having a presence in other parts of the world, we can work closely with other governments and manufacturers, share best practices and ensure quality and safety are built into food and products.”

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The office openings follow a food safety scandal in China that saw at least four babies die from melamine-contaminated milk. Last week, the FDA issued an ‘import alert’ banning Chinese foods unless importers certified them free of dairy ingredients or melamine. Officials declined to comment on when this alert would be lifted.


China also plans to station food quality monitors in the US, the China Daily reported.


The FDA will open offices in India later this year, followed by Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.