[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE FOOD SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ACT OF 2022

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2022

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Food 
Safety Administration Act, which I am introducing--along with Senator 
Dick Durbin--today.
  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates about 80 percent of 
our food supply--and consumers and industry depend on the FDA food 
program to perform its regulatory role. Every year, nearly 48 million 
people get sick from one of the 31 pathogens known to cause foodborne 
illness. This results in 128,000 Americans being hospitalized each 
year--and 3,000 Americans dying of foodborne diseases. This is common, 
costly--and preventable.
  It is becoming increasingly clear that public confidence in the 
ability of the FDA to protect our food supply is diminishing. Between 
inadequate responses to recalls, a failure to implement a culture of 
outbreak prevention, and proposed rules and initiatives that languish 
for years, the food program has struggled in its role to protect 
consumers.
  The recent infant formula crisis, exacerbated by substandard safety 
practices at the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan, cannot 
be allowed to happen again. Parents and caregivers should never have to 
desperately scramble to find infant formula and wonder how they will 
feed their children. And when or if they finally find formula, they 
face an impossible choice as they wonder whether it is safe for 
consumption. We should not have to choose between safety and supply 
when it comes to feeding our babies. I reject this false and dangerous 
dichotomy. This was a colossal failure of Abbott Nutrition and the FDA, 
which dragged its feet to investigate a whistleblower report that 
unveiled damning allegations of wrongdoing and neglect of Abbott.
  Food safety is currently a second-class citizen at the FDA. It is 
clear that food safety is not prioritized at the FDA, which has the 
authority to appoint an empowered Deputy Commissioner of Foods with a 
relevant background in food safety--but has yet to do so. The lack of a 
single, full-time expert leader affects all aspects of FDA's food 
program. And perhaps the most significant impact is the delayed 
implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and the New Era of 
Smarter Food Safety blueprint. These key initiatives depend on all FDA 
food program units, like the Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, Center for Veterinary Medicine, and the Office of Regulatory 
Affairs--working together with state partners and with a common 
strategic direction, clear priorities, adequate resource management, 
and internal accountability.
  That is why I am introducing the Food Safety Administration Act that 
would establish the Food Safety Administration under the Department of 
Health and Human Services by incorporating these existing food programs 
within FDA into this separate agency. This agency would be led by a 
food safety expert confirmed by the Senate.
  This bicameral legislation will bring focused leadership and more 
accountability, a unified structure and a full-time senior leader who 
will strengthen oversight of the food supply and enhance the industry's 
ability to operate effectively.

                          ____________________