The U.S. needs to track imported food products better

At last! An import safety panel released a statement yesterday that urged government authorities to work together to make a "fundamental change" in import monitoring. This after a spate of health-related product recalls in 2007 form Chinese-made products that have that country's quality practices under an intense, global microscope.

Is this a surprise? Not really, as Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt headed the panel that suggested the Bush administration have the riskiest products imported from China inspected more fiercely instead of all $2 trillion imported form that country.

Upping the inspection and scrutiny of all that merchandise would slow international trade and divert attention away from the riskiest products. I agree with that one -- plus, it's completely untenable at this time. Don't work harder -- work smarter, right?