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National Environmental Health Association Applauds Food Safety Improvement Recommendations From Reagan-Udall Panel

For Immediate Release

December 8, 2022
Contact: Chana Goussetis, Communication & Marketing Director, National Environmental Health Association


Denver, CO – On December 6, 2022, the Reagan-Udall Foundation released its independent operational evaluation of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Human Foods Program, which includes recommendations to further strengthen the program.

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), representing nearly 7,000 environmental health professionals, applauds the recommendations, particularly NEHA's suggestions to provide outreach to and resources for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) food safety programs.

"The panel acknowledged our emphasis that one half of human food inspections are performed by SLTT agencies and that the FDA partnership with them is critical to the success of the FDA food safety program," said Doug Farquhar, NEHA Government Affairs director.

Other recommendations from the panel that aligned with NEHA's recommendations include the FDA:
  • Giving its highest priority to the formulation of an appropriations strategy that begins with a well-defined agenda and clear case for increased funding.
  • Seeking additional resources for the Human Foods Program, especially for underfunded SLTT agencies.
  • Amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow disclosure of nonpublic information to state, local, and U.S. territorial government agencies with counterpart functions related to FDA-regulated products by preempting related state, local, or territorial disclosure laws
  • Recognizing the role that SLTT agencies play in the protection of public health—particularly as FDA partners in the regulation of products—to help ensure the safety and integrity of the supply chain and assist in enforcement against unlawful products.
NEHA delivers tools, training, and resources to frontline workers to ensure the health and safety of the dining public. We will continue to provide input and recommendations for human food safety that emphasize the efforts and importance of SLTT food safety programs.

- neha.org/advocacy -

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) represents nearly 7,000 governmental, private, academic, and uniformed services sector environmental public health professionals in the U.S., its territories, and internationally. NEHA is the profession's strongest advocate for excellence in the practice of environmental health as it delivers on its mission to build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce.