DeLauro Statement on Reagan-Udall Foundation Report

Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released a statement in response to an evaluation produced by the Reagan-Udall Foundation which conducted a review of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food program.

“I have said for many years that food safety is a second-class citizen at the Food and Drug Administration, primarily as a consequence of agency culture. When FDA announced that the Reagan-Udall Foundation would be evaluating the food program and potential structural changes at the FDA, I cautiously welcomed the news as I did not want to maintain the status quo. After reviewing the report, I can say that I am pleased by the number of recommendations outlined by the Foundation that FDA can take to strengthen food safety at the agency.

“Notably, the report calls for the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner for Foods, which I have called for since the start of the infant formula shortage. This is an action FDA could take today that would centralize food safety at the agency and ensure that one individual, who is properly credentialed, is overseeing the food program at FDA. Reagan-Udall’s evaluation also suggests the creation of a single food safety agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services, which I have similarly proposed in a bill I introduced with my colleague Senator Durbin.

“Here’s the bottom line: moving forward we need urgency, transparency, and engagement from FDA. I want to know that they are moving forward quickly to remedy the structural and cultural issues that have plagued the agency for far too long and harmed our food safety response. I want to know how they are moving forward in the decision-making process, what proposed recommendations in the report they intend to implement, a timeline of action, and what resources they would need to implement the structural changes. And finally, I want to know that the FDA Commissioner is depending on the advice of the food safety experts and that he is engaging in a meaningful way with stakeholders on this issue.

“FDA needs a change, and the Reagan-Udall report is a formal acknowledgement of the issues plaguing the food program that begins to chart that path forward. I hope that Commissioner Califf will grab the torch and lead the charge to strengthen food safety at FDA.”