The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today a proposal for the redesign of its Human Foods Program, including the creation of a Center for Excellence in Nutrition. Nancy Brown, chief executive of the American Heart Association, issued the following statement:
"We appreciate Commissioner Califf's efforts to address the Reagan-Udall Foundation Independent Expert Panel's recommendations to improve the FDA Human Foods Program. As an organization committed to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease on our nation's families and communities, we recognize the critical role that diet plays in heart, brain and overall health. We are pleased the FDA's proposed new structure also recognizes – and elevates – nutrition's role by creating a new Center for Excellence in Nutrition.
"We hope this new structure will help the FDA build on its previous work, and we encourage the agency to pursue bold, new policies that help consumers make healthier choices and improve the food supply—actions such as creating a comprehensive front-of-pack labeling system to help consumers easily identify healthier foods, and long-term sodium reduction targets for the food industry to further lower the amount of sodium in the food supply.
"We look forward to working with Commissioner Califf in support of these important changes to the FDA's nutrition programs and are eager to continue our efforts with the agency to improve public health."
