Senators Durbin and Blumenthal ask FDA Commissioner Califf for more details on the proposed changes to ODSP

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U.S. Senators, Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner Robert M. Califf, MD to address their concerns about the proposed reorganization of FDA’s Human Foods Program and Office of Regulatory Affairs. Califf recently appointed Jim Jones as Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, tasking him with setting and advancing priorities for a proposed Human Foods Program. The senators’ concerns reflect some of the concerns of industry, specifically the place of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs within this reorganization. According to FDA, ODSP will be merged with the Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation. What does this mean for oversight of dietary supplements?

“We are concerned that these changes could divert resources, funding, and attention from the supplement market at a time when it is needed more than ever,” the letter states. The senators point out that the ODSP already has limited resources, operating on just over $13 million in funding to oversee a $50 billion industry.

The letter asks Califf to answer several questions that will offer clarity on how the new Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation will oversee the dietary supplement industry and enforce regulations. The senators have given Califf until September 8, 2024 to respond.