AGRICULTURE

Debate on Safe Milk Continues: Government inspectors do not test to see if most of the 82 drugs that can be used for cows wind up in milk, so the Food and Drug Administration cannot vouch for the safety of the milk supply, congressional investigators said. The FDA disputed the contention. Rep. Ted Weiss (D-N.Y.) said progress in testing for drugs has been scant since the issue arose two years ago. “FDA still cannot honestly assure the public that milk is safe,” said Weiss, chairman of a House Government Operations subcommittee. But Gerald Guest, director of the FDA’s center for veterinary medicine, testified: “Milk is one of FDA’s most heavily regulated and monitored food commodities. With the additional activities that we have undertaken . . . I am even more confident that the milk supply is safe.”