Items Tagged with 'Robert Califf'

The Food and Drug Administration has released a long-awaited final rule updating its definition of “healthy” foods. 

The food and beverage industry, Food and Drug Administration and Congress all came under attack at a Senate hearing Thursday that focused on the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease in the U.S., which FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said is in the “unfortunate position” of having “the lowest life expectancy among large, high-income countries."

John Thune’s elevation to Senate Republican leader is being welcomed by many ag, biofuel and conservation groups. No Senate majority or minority leader has come to the job with a background in ag and biofuel policy as deep as the South Dakotan’s since, well, Thune unseated then-Democratic leader Tom Daschle in 2004.

The Food and Drug Administration’s reorganization to create a unified Human Food Program has received approval from the Department of Health and Human Services and will go into effect Oct. 1.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf defended agency plans that would reduce funding to state and local safety inspection programs. The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee questioned Califf Thursday on a number of agency priorities and its fiscal year 2025 budget request. 

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai faces questioning on both sides of Capitol Hill this week amid a growing ag trade deficit that has fueled Republican attacks ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Speaking on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, Maine Democrat Chellie Pingree says it is “no time to be cutting back” on the nutrition title within the farm bill.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf has proposed creating a new Human Foods Program at the agency and has begun a national search for a newly created deputy commissioner for human foods who would report directly to him.

Frank Yiannas, deputy commissioner for food policy and response at the Food and Drug Administration, announced Wednesday he is stepping down from the agency at the end of February. In his resignation letter, he also called for an empowered deputy commissioner for foods to help better manage food safety oversight at FDA.