Resources for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Bush urges FDA recall power

www.latimes.com

The Bush administration on Tuesday moved to protect the nation against tainted food and dangerous consumer products through government-ordered recalls, tighter safety rules for manufacturers and steeper fines for those who violate them.

In parallel proposals from the White House and the Food and Drug Administration, officials acknowledged flaws in the current screening system. The remedies -- some of which would require congressional action and some that could be implemented by regulations -- would cover imports such as toys contaminated by lead paint, as well as domestically produced foods like the tainted California spinach that last year killed three people and sickened hundreds more.

"While we have strong food and product safety standards, we need to do more to ensure that American families have confidence in what they find on our store shelves," President Bush said in announcing the plan. "They have the right to expect the food they eat, or the medicines they take, or the toys they buy for their children to be safe."

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