The value of goods imported by the US has doubled since 2000, to reach an estimated $2.2tn this year, highlighting the need for more stringent safety checks to be put in place. What's more, the value of goods from China, which is the second-largest exporter to the US after Canada, is expected to reach $341bn this year, up almost 25 percent from last year.

US gives millions for food safety research

The US Department of Agriculture will donate more than $14m to research projects, focused on improving food safety, across the country, acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced Tuesday.

"USDA places a high importance on ensuring Americans have access to a safe food supply," Conner said. "These research projects will address food safety issues across a broad range of topics that include shipping, storage, food buying, food preparation and food consumption."

The grants will fund research that will help reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses among children, he added.

Bill calls for distributors to cover recall costs

The distributors of certain food imports will have to prove that they have the financial means to cover any recalls or product safety fines, if a new bill is passed.

Under the Food and Product Responsibility Act, a manufacturer would have to obtain certification to prove that it was financially secure for a period of two years, and could also cover any costs relating to lawsuits or compensatory damages.

According to BusinessInsurance.com, the act could help reduce the number of manufacturers dealing in faulty goods, thereby reducing health problems associated with food products.

Senator Bob Casey, who is proposing the bill, said that he was particularly concerned about meat and eggs, and any related products, as they often harbour the pathogens that lead to food-borne diseases such as listeria.

Import safety regulations not tough enough?

Despite an apparent concerted crackdown on import safety regulations, ex FDA officials have accused the regulatory body of ignoring proposals for improvement, Reuters reported yesterday.

"FDA has failed to implement literally hundreds of proposed solutions to specific import problems, which would have enabled the FDA to begin to focus its resources where the risks are indeed the greatest," Benjamin England, a former FDA official said.

According to England, FDA lacks import data, such as information on where the product was made and what process was used during manufacturing.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, told the news agency that the FDA was "frivolous" with manufacturers' import safety suggestions.

"The FDA lacks a formal process that evaluates the food safety systems of other countries," she added.