In the statement, Califf pointed to both internal and third-party reviews of the administration in 2022, following the agency’s response to the baby formula crisis, as the driving force behind the new vision for the groups. He stated that the proposals create “clear priorities that are focused on protecting and promoting a safe, nutritious U.S. food supply that more quickly adapts to an ever-changing and evolving environment.”
The proposal creates a new organization called the Human Foods Program, combining the functions of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Food Policy and Response (OFPR), as well as certain functions of ORA. The new group will be led by a new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods.
In addition, a Center for Excellence in Nutrition will be created to help American consumers with their food and nutrition choices, and this will include a newly established Office of Critical Foods, as directed by the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. It will also provide for creation of the Office of Integrated Food Safety System Partnerships, to help meet the vision of food safety systems integration as set forth in the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act.
Meanwhile, the operating structure of ORA will become more of an enterprise-wide effort across all FDA regulatory programs, focused solely on inspections, laboratory testing, import and investigative operations.
Further details on the proposal were expected to be shared publicly by the end of February.
