FDA Home Page | Search
FDA Site | FDA A-Z Index | Contact
FDA
Email
this Page To a Friend |
One in a Series of Information Sheets from FDA
As an agency that protects the health of all Americans, the FDA must keep in touch with consumers and firms dealing with regulated products all over the United States . Regulating almost 124,000 business establishments that annually produce, warehouse, import and transport $1 trillion worth of consumer goods is no small task. The FDA devotes to this crucial task, which is directed by the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), about one-third of the agency's personnel. Stationed in more than 160 offices, resident posts and laboratories from coast to coast and in Puerto Rico, ORA's highly trained staff provides the eyes, ears and the long arm of the agency that ensures the implementation of the FDA's high public health standards. Here are some of the major activities of ORA specialists:
For more information , please call ORA at 301-827-3101 or visit the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov/ora .
The FDA's ability to protect the public health has been enhanced by additional resources authorized by Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The FDA hired 655 new ORA employees, 600 of whom strengthen food safety, 35 enhance the safety of animal drugs and feed, and 20 are part of the drug, biologic and device programs. About 420 of the new inspectors and other employees either are stationed at border locations or are working specifically on imports. All of the new hires will be trained in both import and domestic operations to help ensure adequate coverage of both domestically manufactured and imported products.
Publication No. FS 01-7
FDA Web site: www.fda.gov
12/03