In a further move to improve food safety and streamline information, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) claimed this week that it is currently developing a new, comprehensive system for tracking and analysing adverse event reports involving foods, cosmetics and dietary supplements.

According to a statement, the step is made possible in part by funds provided by Congress in the fiscal year 2002 appropriations. The new CFSAN Adverse Events Reporting System (CAERS) will eventually replace the patchwork of existing adverse event systems that were maintained by individual offices within CFSAN.

The agency will use the CAERS system as a monitoring tool to identify potential public health issues that may be associated with the use of a particular product already in the marketplace. Information gathered in CAERS will also assist the FDA in the formulation and dissemination of CFSAN's post-marketing policies and procedures.