Unlocking Food Safety: Can User Fees Provide the Funding Solution We Need?

The FDA plays a crucial role in keeping our food safe, but how does it pay for this responsibility? Unlike pharmaceuticals and medical devices, for which the FDA collects user fees, food safety oversight is fully funded by Congress.

The FDA’s budget for 2025 is around $7.2 billion, with $3.5 billion coming from user fees related to other products. This raises an interesting debate: Should the FDA start charging food manufacturers user fees, too?

A recent article highlights several reasons for this consideration:

• Health Concerns: Many new ingredients in ultra-processed foods are linked to health issues. These foods represent a large part of what Americans eat.
• State Regulations: Some states are taking action to ban certain ingredients used in these foods.
• Heightened Interest: There is a growing effort in Congress and state legislatures to improve food safety.
• Scientific Advances: New research continues to show how diet directly affects health.
• Review Delays: The FDA has faced delays in reviewing food additives and labeling, slowing down the approval process.

To explore user fees, the FDA might start with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which allows it to collect fees for re-inspections. However, the FDA hasn’t begun this process yet, partly because it needs to create guidelines that account for the impact on small businesses.

Congress could also grant the FDA authority to charge for premarket approval of food additives or health claims. Proposed changes to FSMA could strengthen the FDA’s role in assessing food safety. Ideas include:

• Mandating the FDA to review Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) ingredients, as the current process allows companies to self-regulate without FDA input.
• Reviewing existing ingredients that have raised safety concerns.
• Ensuring food manufacturers provide access to all ingredient information.
• Requiring proof from manufacturers that support their health claims.

These changes could increase the FDA’s workload but also generate necessary revenue to enhance food safety.

However, there are concerns about user fees. Food industry trade groups usually oppose them, fearing they might burden small manufacturers or lead to higher food prices for consumers, already facing rising costs. It raises an important question: Would increased safety justify the potential extra expense for consumers?

As awareness of food safety issues grows, reforming the food supply is a significant challenge. The FDA needs more support to make meaningful changes without driving up prices for manufacturers or consumers. Balancing safety and affordability is key in addressing this complex problem.

For further reading on the FDA’s budgeting and its implications for food safety, you can check the CDC’s guidelines here.

Check out this related article: Sushi Restaurant Under Investigation Following Alarming Food Poisoning Reports: What You Need to Know