FDA’s Reorganization Approved for Establishing Unified Human Foods Program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the latest move towards a significant reorganization, which includes the creation of a unified Human Foods Program (HFP) and a new model for its field operations. This reorganization is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and aims to enhance the FDA’s ability to oversee and protect the human food supply and other products it regulates. The reorganization is intended to make the FDA more efficient and adaptable to the evolving food and medical product industries, new technologies, globalization, climate change, and other factors.

According to FDA, the unified HFP will enable the FDA to implement preventive measures outlined in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, with a focus on strengthening partnerships at local, state, and international levels. It will also increase the agency’s ability to regulate innovative food and agricultural products and respond to food-related emergencies.

The reorganization consolidates the functions of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, the Office of Food Policy and Response, and key functions from the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) under the new HFP. Additionally, ORA will be renamed the Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII) to better reflect its focus on inspections, investigations, and imports. The FDA believes these actions will help optimize resources, provide clearer priorities and career opportunities for employees, and better meet its public health mission.