WASHINGTON, DC - Associations, assemble! An urgent issue is at hand, and a diverse coalition of food policy stakeholders representing consumers, industry, and state and local regulators have gathered to take a stand. The coalition—comprising International Fresh Produce Association, Western Growers, and more—recently reiterated its call for significant structural reform of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) foods program ahead of the agency’s anticipated January 31 announcement on how it intends to implement recommendations from a report by the Reagan-Udall Foundation.

“The FDA’s foods program is a distinctive part of the agency and deserves a structure and leadership model that is appropriately customized to fit its mission,” noted the coalition’s press release. “We look forward to FDA Commissioner Califf’s pending announcement and remain committed to working with the agency as changes are implemented.”

According to the release, the coalition commended the report when it was released in December of last year, noting that the expert panel accurately captured problems related to the structure, leadership, culture, transparency, and accountability within FDA’s foods program. Importantly, the report reinforces the coalition’s call for an expert, empowered Deputy Commissioner for food who could unify the program and elevate its stature within FDA.

The coalition reiterated the need for bold reforms that incorporate the following elements:

• Full Unification of the Human and Animal Foods Program under an Expert Leader
• An Elevated, More Prominent Foods Program
• Culture Change and Modernization

To learn more about the coalition’s needs put forth in front of the FDA, click here.

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International Fresh Produce Association