Today, AFDO joined 29 organizations representing consumers, industry leaders, and state and local regulators, including Consumer Reports, Stop Foodborne Illness, and the International Fresh Produce Association as they called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen leadership and accountability in FDA’s food safety and nutrition program. Their joint letter follows recent reports on serious issues within the FDA, including problematic organizational structure, governance, and performance.
“All of us depend on the FDA to perform its regulatory role effectively, efficiently, and transparently. And every American wants to have confidence in FDA’s ability to do that. We fear public confidence is in jeopardy,” the leaders wrote in their letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf. “Success also requires transparency and robust engagement with industry, consumer groups, state associations, and other stakeholders.”
The letter further outlines a FDA food program led by a full-time leader with food expertise and the authority and accountability to make the program successful and protect consumers. This recommended position would oversee and have direct line authority over the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the food-related operations of the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). Presently, all of these centers report directly to the Commissioner, who is also responsible for major centers that regulate pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, and tobacco. This is simply too much for one person.
“The structural, governance, and performance problems, including the lack of a single, full-time, fully empowered and expert leader affect all aspects of the FDA’s food program.”
