Program needs an overhaul with greater attention paid to strong leadership and a more proactive culture<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Physician\u2019s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Dec. 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration foods program is in “constant turmoil” and needs stronger leadership, a panel said Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Reagan-Udall Foundation, a group with close ties to the FDA, released a 51-page report<\/a> Tuesday noting the need for a clear mission in the program and more urgency to prevent illness outbreaks. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., first sought<\/a> the review in July. The group called for restructuring the program’s leadership and culture to address chronic public health issues and food crises.<\/p>\n The report did offer suggestions such as creating a separate food agency at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Other suggestions were creating a deputy commissioner for foods or putting the FDA commissioner directly in charge of the foods program.<\/p>\n As it stands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides oversight for some foods. Meanwhile, the FDA oversees not just foods, but drugs and medical devices for humans and for veterinary uses.<\/p>\n “I will be fully engaged to ensure that the program comes out of this transition,” Califf said in a statement after the report was released. Califf added that he plans to oversee the foods program himself while reviewing the report and consulting with experts.<\/p>\n