Leavitt to head to China as imports held for health risk

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday ordered dozens of imported foods from China held at the border as possible health risks. Most are ethnic treats, including snacks, drinks and chocolates.

At the same time, Health and Human Service Secretary Mike Leavitt — the former governor or Utah — announced he is traveling next week to China for high-level discussions about food safety and to open new FDA offices there to help ensure foods exported to America are safe.

It's unusual for the FDA to put such a broad hold on goods from an entire country, not just a few rogue manufacturers. The order, which covers products made with milk, is a precaution to keep out foods contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, which can cause serious kidney problems.

"We've continued to get information from others in the international community, and reports from China, about (melamine contamination) moving into different commodities," said Steve Solomon, a senior FDA enforcement official. "Most of the products we are talking about are finished products like cookies, cakes and candies. The impact will be for various ethnic communities looking for specific products."

Leavitt and FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach said Thursday they will travel next week for discussions with their Chinese counterparts to discuss the safety of food that their countries trade with each other.

An HHS statement said that will include discussions about the recent outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States related to fresh produce and the melamine contamination of dairy products. It said the meetings will include an exchange of the latest scientific data about the toxicity of melamine in humans.

Leavitt and von Eschenback are also scheduled to open new FDA offices in China. "Establishing a permanent FDA presence in China will greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness of our regulator cooperation and our efforts to protect consumers in both countries," an HHS statement said.

Meanwhile under the new directive about Chinese items held at the U.S. border, FDA inspectors at U.S. ports of entry will detain foods from China made with milk and certain ingredients derived from milk. Importers must pay to have their products tested by an independent laboratory that meets FDA standards. Only products found to be melamine-free will be allowed into the country.

The order also applies to pet foods and some bulk protein products, the focus of a melamine recall in 2007.