Industry Leaders React to Robert Califf's Confirmation as FDA Commissioner

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which ensures the safety of our nation's food supply and has been without a permanent head for more than a year, now has a commissioner. On Feb. 15, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Califf to lead the federal agency.

Califf’s appointment to the position will mark his second time heading the FDA, which he also led during the final year of former President Barack Obama’s administration.

On Nov. 12, President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Califf for commissioner. In his statement, Biden said Califf “brings nearly four decades of experience as a doctor, researcher, leader and public servant, including previous service as FDA commissioner from 2016-2017, for which he was confirmed by the Senate 89-4 with broad bipartisan support.”

According to its website, the “FDA also plays a significant role in the nation's counterterrorism capability. FDA fulfills this responsibility by ensuring the security of the food supply and by fostering development of medical products to respond to deliberate and naturally emerging public health threats.”

Industry Reaction

The International Fresh Produce Association said it “wishes Dr. Califf well and hopes that he will use this opportunity to consider how to best serve public health and the industry through increased coordination and efficiency of the various foods programs within FDA.”

The Consumer Brands Association released the following statement from Roberta Wagner, VP of regulatory and technical affairs: “As we have seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, strong leadership and clear guidance from the FDA is essential to the success of the consumer packaged goods industry. We are pleased to see the Senate has confirmed Dr. Califf and look forward to continuing a productive relationship with the FDA under his leadership.”

The National Milk Producers Federation issued the following statement from its President and CEO Jim Mulhern: “We congratulate Dr. Robert Califf on his confirmation as FDA Commissioner. We are cheering for his success at a particularly challenging time, given the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need to address the opioids crisis and other public health issues. We are heartened that, in addition to these concerns, he has also cited addressing the proliferation of plant-based products mislabeled as dairy a ‘priority’ issue under his leadership. Nutritional confusion over the products is real, with meaningful public health implications, and the Biden administration has promised guidance by midyear. We look forward to working with Dr. Califf as he resolves this long-standing, and growing, concern.”

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement: “On behalf of IDFA members who make and distribute healthy and nutritious dairy products throughout the United States, we congratulate Dr. Robert Califf on his confirmation as FDA Commissioner. IDFA encourages Dr. Califf to put the ‘F’ back in the FDA by focusing attention on making FDA more efficient and nimbler for consumers and more responsive to the feedback of industry. The FDA is one of the most important regulatory agencies within the federal government because it ensures the safety and security of our nation’s food supply. For decades, FDA leaders have promised to modernize food standards while allowing food makers more flexibility for innovation in response to shifting consumer demands and trends. However, food standards have become more complex and onerous, the FDA’s response times on pending rules and petitions has increased and promises to streamline rulemaking have not been kept. IDFA and our member companies are hopeful for a more collaborative relationship with FDA on matters of food safety, food standards, labeling, and nutrition and health.

“As a cardiologist, Dr. Califf has a keen understanding of the impact of diet on human health. We hope that as FDA continues to refine its regulatory positions, FDA experts not only recognize dairy’s crucial role in a healthy diet beginning at a very young age but also allow research showing the benefits of dairy fat to be considered in federal nutrition guidance. No other type of food or beverage provides the range and density of nutrients that dairy contributes to the American diet.

“IDFA congratulates Dr. Califf on his confirmation and looks forward to a productive relationship with FDA under his leadership.”

Reactions From Government Leaders

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, issued the following excerpted statement after the Senate confirmed Califf as the new commissioner of the FDA: “I wish to congratulate Dr. Califf on his confirmation as FDA Commissioner. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, I have prioritized the health and safety of all Americans, and it is my sincere hope that Dr. Califf shares this commitment to protect future generations as commissioner.

“In this new capacity, his role will be more important than ever to ensure the FDA sets forth critical policies on a wide array of health issues, including addressing youth e-cigarette use and addiction and lead and other toxic heavy metals in baby food. … As we uncovered in our committee’s investigation into the baby food industry, some baby food manufacturers are turning a blind eye to the amounts of toxic heavy metal levels in the baby foods families are providing their infants. The FDA must also implement stricter standards for toxic heavy metals in baby food, as outlined in my Baby Food Safety Act, and must propose and finalize those standards faster.  Under the FDA’s current plan, lead standards may not be finalized until April 2024, and arsenic standards will have to wait until 2024 and beyond. This delay is unacceptable—we cannot let baby food manufacturers continue to poison our kids. I look forward to working with Dr. Califf to ensure the FDA is successful in its mission to protect the health and safety of all Americans, especially our nation’s children.”