By: Alison Bodor, President and CEO, American Frozen Food Institute
The U.S. enjoys one of the safest food supplies in the world, thanks to the work and food safety systems established under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, AFFI believes that structural changes and improvements are needed at the agency to better ensure an independent, transparent, well-resourced, technically advanced, and efficient and effective FDA. That’s why we recently signed onto a joint letter with a range of stakeholders calling for significant changes to the leadership structure, particularly unifying the FDA food program under a single deputy commissioner.
FDA currently lacks a single, empowered leader who understands the food system and can oversee all parts of the agency’s food program. This hinders the ability for the agency to act efficiently and transparently with the regulated community, including the frozen food industry. AFFI needs an FDA that engages in modern, risk-based food safety strategies that mitigate risks and promote innovation. We also need an agency that will better engage with stakeholders – an essential step in developing substantive changes to leadership structure and creating a modern and efficient food safety regulatory agency.
AFFI is eager to work with FDA, the Biden administration, and Congress to help bring about needed change.
