Press Release

September 3, 2009       

United States Consul General Goldbeck Attends Food Safety Conference

The U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office, working with the Guangzhou FDA and the Guangdong Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, co-hosted a conference September  1-3, 2009, in Guangzhou regarding food safety issues.  The three-day conference was attended by approximately 150 local Administration of Quality Supervision,  Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and other officials as well as business representatives involved in food safety inspections and testing.  Speakers included local FDA Officers Mr. Dennis Doupnik and Mr. Dennis Hudson, and  Dr. Merton Smith from U.S. FDA’s  Center for Veterinary Medicine.  Presenters examined human food safety aspects of veterinary drugs used in food-producing animals.

U.S. Consul General Brian L. Goldbeck attended the conference and made closing remarks on September 3.  Consul General Goldbeck said:   “The U.S. FDA Office in Guangzhou represents the U.S. commitment to building an ever better relationship with China.  Our FDA office is working closely with Chinese authorities to develop a common understanding regarding safety standards for food.  This effort facilitates trade and better ties by allowing safe Chinese exports to enter the U.S. market as well as imports of U.S. products.  At the same time, this also promotes safer products for China’s domestic consumption.  The conference has built a bridge between our countries regarding food safety and between the Chinese and Americans attending the conference.”