WASHINGTON –The Food and Drug Administration’s documentation and communication of key decisions on food irradiation petitions could be improved, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

The American Meat Institute relays the G.A.O. report was requested to determine how F.D.A. and U.S.D.A. labeling requirements for irradiated food products differ, how changes proposed by F.D.A. to its requirements might change the amount of irradiated food sold and the extent to which F.D.A. has effectively managed the petition review process.

Although U.S.D.A. requires that any irradiation label on a U.S.D.A.-inspected product be pre-approved, labels on F.D.A.-regulated products do not require preapproval, even though the processor is responsible for proper labeling, the report noted.

F.D.A. has not met deadlines for communicating with petitioners about their petitions, G.A.O. found. G.A.O. also said six petitions have been active and pending on average about 8.5 years and some for 10 years.

“While F.D.A. is proposing changes to its labeling requirements for irradiated food that may increase the amount of food that is irradiated, it has not effectively managed its petition review process, which is the vehicle to potentially allow more food products to be irradiated,” G.A.O. wrote.

Two specific actions were recommended by G.A.O:

• F.D.A. should document its key decisions in administrative files and communicate its key decisions to its petitioners,

• For new petitions, the status of F.D.A.’s decision making should be consistent with regulatory time frames.

Some industry officials believe labeling requirements for irradiated food products “suggest to consumers that these foods are less than safe,” G.A.O. said in the report. F.D.A. has proposed eliminating labeling requirements for irradiated foods in cases when the irradiation does not cause a material change in the food—when irradiation does not alter the characteristics, such as nutritional property, ordinarily found in the food—or a material change in the consequences that may result from use of the food.

"U.S.D.A. officials also concurred that the proposal could change the amount of food irradiated and noted that the current labeling requirements are a deterrent to increasing the marketability and sale of these products. U.S.D.A. officials told us that U.S.D.A. follows F.D.A.’s lead with issues concerning the safety of irradiated foods,” G.A.O. wrote. “They also said any change in F.D.A.’s labeling requirements would impact U.S.D.A. because there is a goal for federal agencies to have consistent regulations.

Consequently, U.S.D.A. would consider modifying its own labeling requirements for irradiated foods after F.D.A. finalizes its proposed rule. However, U.S.D.A. would have to go through its own rulemaking process before making any changes.”

To read the entire report, click: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-309R