05.01.06
Plans to Reduce FDA Staff Could Impact Dietary Supplement Regulation
FDA has plans to reduce staff at the food center and its regional inspection offices by 86 full-time employees in the next fiscal year, according to FDA budget documents. The food center would be hardest hit by the “redeployments”—FDA is proposing to shift people and money to higher priorities, such as preparing for a flu pandemic. This is significant for the dietary supplement industry because it could hamper enforcement efforts with regard to the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA). In communications between Loren Israelsen and Peter Reinecke of Reinecke Strategic Solutions, it was stated, “To pay for the higher priorities, the food center is cutting funds for regulating cosmetics and dietary supplements; setting standards; testing proficiency; reviewing food contact substances notifications; and reviewing pre-market food and color-additive submissions. Mr. Israelsen notes that while some may applaud the reduction of dietary supplement staff at FDA, he does not. “We have long argued, as have Senator Hatch, Senator Harkin and other proponents of supplements, that full implementation of DSHEA requires an engaged regulator that is informed and understands what needs to be done to help ensure the law as envisioned is fully implemented,” he said. “Budget cuts at FDA, simply put, translate into the need for greater self-regulation.”
FDA has plans to reduce staff at the food center and its regional inspection offices by 86 full-time employees in the next fiscal year, according to FDA budget documents. The food center would be hardest hit by the “redeployments”—FDA is proposing to shift people and money to higher priorities, such as preparing for a flu pandemic. This is significant for the dietary supplement industry because it could hamper enforcement efforts with regard to the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA). In communications between Loren Israelsen and Peter Reinecke of Reinecke Strategic Solutions, it was stated, “To pay for the higher priorities, the food center is cutting funds for regulating cosmetics and dietary supplements; setting standards; testing proficiency; reviewing food contact substances notifications; and reviewing pre-market food and color-additive submissions. Mr. Israelsen notes that while some may applaud the reduction of dietary supplement staff at FDA, he does not. “We have long argued, as have Senator Hatch, Senator Harkin and other proponents of supplements, that full implementation of DSHEA requires an engaged regulator that is informed and understands what needs to be done to help ensure the law as envisioned is fully implemented,” he said. “Budget cuts at FDA, simply put, translate into the need for greater self-regulation.”