U.S. FDA Opens Offices In China

Beijing, China (AHN) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened one of its first three overseas offices in China on Wednesday as part of the two countries' cooperation in the field of food and drug regulation.

U.S. and Chinese officials inaugurated the FDA office in Beijing.

"Establishing a permanent FDA presence in China will greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness of our regulatory cooperation and our efforts to protect consumers in both countries," according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The HHS said the FDA office in Beijing and similar offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai that will be opened later in the week, also will help the Chinese government improve its regulatory systems for exports.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said staff of the FDA, will inspect Chinese products and liaise with Chinese officials and groups.

The establishment of the China office came amid a U.S. alert and restriction on Chinese milk and other food products after these were found to be contaminated with the chemical melamine used in making plastic products.

A worldwide melamine scare started in September when more than 53,000 infants in China became sick after consuming infant formula containing the toxic substance that causes kidney stone. About 13,000 Chinese babies were also hospitalized with four dying due to kidney stones or complications from it.