SUMMER 2010

EATING

YOUR WAY TO

HEALTH

PETER J. PITTS

Global HeadRegulatory and Health Policy

MARY CHRIST-ERWIN

PartnerPorter Novelli Public Services

2Eating Our Way to Health | PORTER NOVELLI | AMPLIFY

IMAGE (TOP TO BOTTOM) PROVIDED BY CREATIVE COMMONS/FRAPESTAARTJE; BEN STEPHENSON, VICCI

3Eating Our Way to Health |PORTER NOVELLI | AMPLIFY

WHAT ABOUT

BETTER HEALTH

Trough Better Nutrition?

A new report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) saysthe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn’t able to deal with the nation’s food supplyproblems.To conclude that the FDA needs to do more more efficiently does not, shall we say, provide amemorable

“aha!”

moment.The report offers Congress – which commissioned the report – some food for thought as itprepares to tackle FDA reform this year. The IOM concludes that in order for the FDA to betterensure food safety, legislative and organizational changes may be necessary. Most notably, itsays, Congress should consider taking legislative action to provide the FDA with the additionalauthority it needs to fulfill its food safety mission. Within the FDA, authority over field activitiesshould shift from its Office of Regulatory Affairs to its Office of Foods. Such a change willensure that responsibility lies with well-trained personnel with specialized expertise in foodsafety and risk-based principles of food safety management, says the IOM.Thus far, government efforts to promote better food safety have been made with expandedrecall powers and more numerous inspections. But more needs to be done.America’s health also depends on having better information about the food they’re eating –particularly in today’s era of genetically modified foods with nutritional nanotechnology,probiotics and other functions. Reformers must recognize this new reality and ensure that theFDA reform capitalizes on using food as a potent tool for better health.

PETER J. PITTS

Global Head of Regulatory and Health PolicyPorter Novelli New York

Peter.Pitts@portenovelli.com | 212.601.8208

MARY CHRIST-ERWIN

Partner Porter Novelli Public Services, Washington, DC

Mary.Christ-Erwin@porternovelli.com | 202.973.3601