Dr. Donna Garren, executive vice president of science and policy, issued the following statement in response to the release of the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s Operational Evaluation of the U.S. FDA’s Human Foods Program:
AFFI and its member companies congratulate U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Califf for his leadership in requesting an operational evaluation of the agency and empowering the Reagan-Udall Foundation to develop an independent, top-to-bottom review of its human foods program. We thank the Reagan-Udall Foundation and the distinguished expert panel for developing a significant and comprehensive report that provides bold recommendations for positive change for FDA’s oversight of human foods, and we also thank the diverse group of stakeholders who provided valuable feedback.
AFFI is particularly pleased to see the recommendation for a strong and empowered leader to make the necessary cultural and organizational changes that impact food safety. AFFI also appreciates the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s recommendation that the agency adopt a prevention-focused approach to food safety as required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This aligns with modern, risk-based safety strategies promoted by AFFI in our food safety research and policy efforts.
If that and other report recommendations are considered and accepted by Commissioner Califf, it will create an FDA human foods program that both consumers and the regulated industry need and deserve. AFFI stands ready to engage with the Commissioner and FDA’s senior leadership as they consider and implement the recommendations in this report.
