Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) proposed process and Discussion Paper: Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for the FDA’s Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food (Discussion Paper). As The Food Industry Association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier, and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. More information about our organization is available at www.FMI.org.

 

FMI applauds FDA for outlining its proposal to enhance its approach of Post-Market Assessments of chemicals in food and for holding the September 25, 2024 public meeting. We believe transparency is key to an initiative like this one and appreciate the visibility into the process FDA intends to undertake. To reiterate the oral comments we delivered at the public meeting, FMI and its members are committed to ensuring a safe food supply and we welcome FDA’s efforts to engage in Post-Market Assessments of chemicals in food using an approach that is both transparent and grounded in sound science. We believe that as the agency charged with protecting public health, FDA has the scientific expertise to undertake this important work. The agency has the unique ability not only to carefully evaluate scientific data and information on a particular substance, but also to make risk-based decisions and then communicate those to consumers and industry alike. Having FDA at the helm of this systematic process will help ensure a uniform, federal approach to these issues and strengthen consumer confidence in the food supply.
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