Food's Silent "E"

The recent 500-page IOM/National Research Council report on the state of FDA’s food regulatory shortcomings is 500 pages of stating the obvious.  To conclude that the FDA needs to do more more efficiently does not, shall we say, provide a memorable “aha!” moment.

Nevertheless, the issue is an important one – but not for the usual reasons.  The report focuses on the need for better strategies to prevent food-borne illness outbreaks (such as e-coli) and recommends the agency approach the problem by concentrating on preventing outbreaks in the riskiest foods rather than tackling problems on a case-by-case basis.

Makes sense, but there’s more “there there” than just this high-profile, media-magnetic (albeit important) problem.  For example, what about a more 21^st century view of health claims and functional foods?  In an era of nutritional nanotechnology and probiotics, what about a report calling on the FDA to lead a national effort to drive the concept of food as a potent tool for better health? Surprise! It’s already been done – and, alas, forgotten.

In July 2003 the FDA issued its Task Force on Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative report.

According to the Task Force (on which I was honored to serve), “A better-informed public, supported by effective, science-based regulation of health information, would be expected to make better nutritional choices.”

A sound hypothesis and a noble mission. Unfortunately, the road to better health through better nutrition remains paved with only good intentions. That needs to change.  Unfortunately, the IOM/NRC report doesn’t even give passing lip service to this important agenda. Instead, it goes off into the political nether Never Never Land of a “single food agency.” A docket item almost guaranteed to mire any action in political and bureaucratic in-fighting for the foreseeable future.

In 1990 Congress passed the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, which established the FDA-regulated Nutrition Facts Panel (what most civilians refer to as “the food label) “to assist consumers with healthy dietary practices.” The fact that the “E” in NLEA remains silent continues to go sadly unrecognized, unreported -- and unaddressed. And that’s a real disservice to the public health.