FDA Seeks $5.1 Billion for 2017 Food Safety, Medical and Quality Improvements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington, has announced it's requesting a total budget of $5.1 billion to protect and promote the public health as part of the President’s fiscal year 2017 budget – an eight-percent boost over the enacted budget for FY 2016. The overall request includes a net increase of $14.6 million in budget authority and $268.7 million in user fees for initiatives tied to several key areas. These include the implementation of the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FMSA) and efforts to improve medical product safety and quality.

The 2017 request covers the period from Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2017. In addition to improving medial product safety and quality, the food-related highlights of the FY 2017 budget include (net increases of) the continued implementation of a New Food Safety System (with +$18.4 million in budget authority; +$193.2 million in user fees).

The FDA has solidified major rules that implement the core of FSMA, the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. food safety system since the first federal food safety law was passed in 1906. The FY 2017 budget builds on this work by supporting federal and state efforts to establish enforceable safety standards for produce farms. The funding also will allow the FDA to continue its progress on holding importers accountable for verifying that imported food meets U.S. safety standards, as well as conducting food safety audits of foreign food facilities. Another +$3 million is being requested for investing in the agency's infrastructure (building and facilities).