mr. stearn, fda learned about the contamination on july 28th. then spent a month inspecting, testing samples and requesting an update from the firm. you had previously mentioned that it's always important that fda accelerate recalls. could you give greater detail on this case? how could fda have shortened that phase of the recall in. >> there's a number of different recall actions that took place. there was actually four different recall actions that the firm took that oasis took during the course of the time period referenced. the first was there was a positive sample where one of the firms cheese products and in less than a week, there was a recall of that particular product. fda initiate add inspection of the facility. we did act quickly to follow up with that. during the course of that inspection, there were environmental samples that were positive. we went in and did a lot of sampling in the firm. there were a number of things that were positive and there was a frank discussion with the firm after that. the firm made a series of promises. t

mr. stern for five minutes for the purpose of the has written testimony. >> morning, chairman harper, ranking member to get members of the subcommittee. and douglas stearn office of the import operations and office of regulatory affairs and the acting deputy director for regulatory affairs for food safety. we appreciate the opportunity to provide you -- i'm sorry. is that better? we appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information how we oversee recalls of regulated products could fda committed to continuously improving practices to ensure food recalls are initiated, overseen and completed promptly and effectively to best protect consumers. in this regard we appreciate the office of inspector general focus on the subject and would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to report on major changes fda has made in response to oig investigation. when we learn about foot in the marketplace that may be unsafe, and must act quickly to keep people from getting sick or being harmed. fda has authority to act in a variety of ways but often the fastest and most efficient way to ensure unsafe foods are recalled quickly is to work directly with the