In the August 16th edition of Food Fix, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) expressed her views on the incompetence of the FDA with regard to food safety, in an interview with Helena Evich a respected journalist in the field.

Rep. DeLauro has been a tireless proponent of food safety and has locked horns with bureaucratic agencies that have failed to take action in the face of obvious deficiencies and irregularities.

She stated, “Historically the FDA has not paid attention to food safety the way they should.”  She added, “This is an institution that is consumed with turf.  No one wants to give up an iota of turf.” Rep. DeLauro advocates for creation of a Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety to be confirmed by the Senate following a review of relevant credentials and experience.

DeLauro criticized the decision to appoint the Reagan-Udall Foundation to review the FDA.  She questions the impartiality and objectivity of the Foundation based on the fact that they receive part of their budget from the FDA through the Food and Agriculture Spending bill, creating a conflict of interest.   In referring to the review of the FDA, she stated, “It’s going to be really interesting to see what this review finds and how the FDA handles it.  Maybe I’m too cynical and skeptical.  I think it’s going to be a cover-up.”  As a veteran of the Hill, DeLauro is absolutely prescient in predicting that whatever recommendations are made, the FDA will request more funds.

It would appear that Rep. DeLauro recognizes that food is a low priority within the FDA.  Clearly, the solution would be to establish an independent food safety agency. This entity would only function adequately if the food safety components of the USDA represented by the Food Safety and Inspection Service could be merged with the resources of the current food-related responsibilities currently under the FDA to create a seamless independent agency committed to all aspects of food safety.