Today, The Washington Post published a good article by David Brown which discusses Congress's recent efforts to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and to reform drug safety at FDA. The must-pass legislation will improve FDA's ability to conduct post-market surveillance. While FDA needs more authority in this area, the article rightly points out post-market surveillance is "the regulatory equivalent of chasing the horses after they are out of the barn."

Two stories today illustrate a dangerous trend which will likely get worse before it gets better: the importation of dangerous products from China. Much like America during the Industrial Revolution, China's economy is making great strides and the global economy is benefiting. But, also much like America, China's economic growth is outpacing government regulation and oversight. The difference is — because rapid globalization is eroding trade barriers — dangerous products are easily spilling onto foreign shores.

Author Rick Perlstein has an excellent opinion piece on TomPaine.com. He argues conservative values, specifically the idea of limited government, are responsible for the dwindling ability of the FDA to ensure the safety of the nation's food supply. Perlstein argues that budget cuts are responsible for the FDA's inability to preempt contaminated food crises. When the FDA does act it is often too late, as it was with the recent peanut butter incident: