Remember the story about the FDA cl,osing offices?

Well, they've backed off. According to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, the plan has been shelved. He is not sure it is a good plan and wants to evaluate the alternatives (well now that the president has formed a committee to evaluate the alternatives). A subcommittee has evaluated over 70,000 pages of dicuments related to the closure recommendation, and cannot find a reasonable explanation for the closures. Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said Wednesday. "Whether they are closed today or 90 days from now, closing the FDA's field labs, and consolidating the district offices, which places more power in Washington, makes no sense for America's food safety."

The labs perform tests to ensure that imported foods, coming from China and other countries, is safe prior to entering this country. It is not certain that hiring outside labs to do that work can be reliable and the sub-committee want the closure plan to be scrapped.

I'll keep you posted.