In Brief: FDA cosmetics inspections

FDA cosmetics inspections: Agency would phase out field monitoring of cosmetics manufacturing facilities in fiscal 1998 and 1999 with work "continuing at the center level," according to the Administration's FY 1999 budget justification plan for FDA. For fiscal 1998 (ending Sept. 30), the agency's expenditure for monitoring activity has been cut in half; the budget has earmarked $60,000 for facility inspections, $35,000 to analyze domestic samples and another $90,000 to assess import samples. In fiscal 1999, the inspections budget will be eliminated altogether. The cuts come as the agency tries to find funds to meet President Clinton's Food Safety Initiative, and indicate the cosmetics programs will continue to see restraints within the Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition...