Hamburg: FDA Looking to Increase Port Inspections

Speaking alongside Senator Jack Kingston and port authority officials in Georgia, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said the agency is looking to increase the number of inspections taking place at ports of entry into the US.

"This year, we expect that nearly 20 million shipments of food, devices, drugs, and cosmetics will arrive at US ports of entry," said Hamburg in remarks 9 April at the Port of Savannah in Georgia.

"Just a decade ago, that number was closer to 6 million, and a decade before only a fraction of that," continued Hamburg. "I am coming to the port in Savannah to demonstrate how we can work together to both protect the public and support the growth of the port and the economic benefits it brings."

One of FDA's "core missions" is to ensure product safety, said Hamburg, which includes keeping a "watchful eye" over imports.

"The role of this port is going to be growing over time so we also are trying to increase our engagement," said Hamburg, who added she hopes to double the amount of inspectors at the Port of Savannah as a result of a 200% increase in growth over the last decade.

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