FDA Looks to Consolidate its Food Policy and Regulation Divisions

“Creating a Human Foods Program under a single leader who reports directly to the Commissioner unifies and elevates the program while removing redundancies," said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
“Creating a Human Foods Program under a single leader who reports directly to the Commissioner unifies and elevates the program while removing redundancies," said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
(FDA)

FDA wants to consolidate its food policy and regulation divisions in the wake of last year’s national baby-formula shortage. The agency was criticized for its slow response and other food safety concerns, as supply chain issues and a formula recall panicked parents and caregivers.

Abbott Laboratories, which makes Similac and other brands, halted production at its Sturgis, Mich., factory because of product safety concerns.

Read more: FDA Approves Lab-Grown Chicken for the First Time

“Today, I am announcing a new, transformative vision for the FDA Human Foods Program,” said Commissioner Robert Califf. “Creating a Human Foods Program under a single leader who reports directly to the Commissioner unifies and elevates the program while removing redundancies, enabling the agency to oversee human food in a more effective and efficient way.”

The revamped foods program would absorb the functions of Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and the Office of Food Policy and Response, as well as some of the work of the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

How it Works

The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) would continue as a separate office; “the relevant food safety activities will be closely coordinated” between the CVM director and the deputy commissioner for human foods, said Califf.

Read more: Conagra Recalls 2.5 Million Pounds of Canned Meat and Poultry Product

Under Califf’s proposal, the deputy commissioner for food “will have decision-making authority over policy, strategy and regulatory program activities within the Human Foods Program, as well as resource allocation and risk prioritization.”

An advisory committee of outside experts would look at “challenging and emerging issues in food safety, nutrition and innovative food technologies.”

Principal deputy commissioner Janet Woodcock said an “implementation and change” group of FDA managers already was laying the groundwork to make the reorganization a reality. “We look forward to sharing further details next month and in the future on our progress,” she said.

The deputy commissioner will be named by spring, Califf told the Associated Press. 

 

Latest News

Where Did All the Corn Acres and Principal Crop Acres Go? The Two Biggest Questions from USDA's Big Prospective Plantings Report
Where Did All the Corn Acres and Principal Crop Acres Go? The Two Biggest Questions from USDA's Big Prospective Plantings Report

USDA says farmers intend to plant 90 million acres of corn this year, which is lower than the trade expected prior to USDA's big Prospective Plantings report.

Vestaron and Simplot Announce Distribution Agreement
Vestaron and Simplot Announce Distribution Agreement

The distribution agreement focuses on Vestaron’s Spear Lep insecticide, which is a peptide-based control method meant to provide growers with a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemicals.

The Scoop Podcast: How To Gear Up For Carbon And Sustainability Programs
The Scoop Podcast: How To Gear Up For Carbon And Sustainability Programs

Tim Hushon, sustainability and technology director at The Mill, details how sustainability factors into their ag retail business and how to partner with farmers on the technology adoption required.

Two Crop Protection Partners Divest Postharvest Solutions Company
Two Crop Protection Partners Divest Postharvest Solutions Company

Sumitomo Chemical and Valent BioSciences have announced Pace International will become part of AgroFresh Solutions.

The Untold Farmer Stories Of Ukraine: Q&A With Howard Buffett
The Untold Farmer Stories Of Ukraine: Q&A With Howard Buffett

Farmer and philanthropist Howard Buffett held a fireside chat during the 2024 Top Producer Summit to share his experiences visiting the front line of Ukraine over the past two years.

Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Get the Facts Straight on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Now that the mystery illness impacting some dairy herds has been revealed as the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that has been impacting the U.S. poultry flock, pork producers are asking questions.