Biden’s 2023 fiscal budget puts billions toward safeguarding US nutrition amid inflation

30 Mar 2022 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting US$57 million for food safety and nutrition modernization as part of the President’s Budget for the 2023 fiscal year submitted to Congress.

The figures fall under the body’s US$8.4 billion budget request, marking an almost 34% increase compared to the previous year. In addition to the FDA’s request, the budget proposes US$11 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Disruptions to global supply chains have contributed to higher prices. As a result, America was not immune to the worldwide inflation that has followed the pandemic – leaving too many families struggling to keep up with their bills,” notes US President Joe Biden.

“Millions of Americans reported they were struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, put food on the table and cover basic expenses,” the report highlights.

Expressing his confidence in the fiscal budget, Biden outlines “it fights inflation and helps families deal with rising costs by growing our economy, making more goods in America and lowering the costs families face.”

The FDA wants to strengthen data-driven approaches as part of food safety efforts. Nutrition as a bridge to health equity
Affordability and access have become increasingly concerning for consumers across the globe, as millions of people now face the dilemma of heating their homes or having food on the table. 

A key priority for the FDA is furthering the Healthy and Safe Food for All initiative, aiming to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in food, the agency notes.

Concerns of exposure to toxic elements including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury from baby foods prompted the FDA last year to launch its “Closer to Zero” action plan, encouraging industry to adopt best practices. 

“Additional funding and legislative proposals will focus specifically on better protecting mothers, infants and young children through contamination limits in food and product testing requirements,” the FDA notes.

Boosting access
The agency also aims to offer greater access to healthier foods and nutrition information and modernize dietary supplement regulation.

Specifically, Biden’s budget provides US$6.8 billion for critical nutrition programs, including US$6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children. Described as the country’s most important anti-hunger program, the program provides nutritional support for low-income groups. 

“USDA’s nutrition programs are among the most far-reaching tools available to improve health and well-being and ensure that all Americans have access to healthy, affordable food,” the report specifies.

In 2023, an average of 6.4 million low-income women, infants and children are expected to participate in the program each month. The budget also proposes to continue the provision of enhanced cash value benefits through 2023 to ensure that all participating women and children have access to the scientific-based recommended level of fruits and vegetables.

The USDA recently unveiled a number of strategies to slash chronic disease and health care costs, as 600,000 US consumers die each year due to diet-related diseases.Inflation, supply chain issues and the Ukraine war have caused food prices to shoot up.

Addressing food systems
Important for the budget is also creating a resilient food supply chain. To this end, the FDA seeks US$43 million in additional investments in food safety modernization, including animal food safety oversight.

Part of the Biden’s administration plan, as outlined in the report, is to strengthen international partnerships in a bid to ending hunger and malnutrition, as well as build more sustainable food systems.

“The budget supports the President’s pledge to alleviate global food insecurity by providing over US$1 billion in bilateral agriculture and food security programming and continuing robust support for the International Fund for Agricultural Development.”

“These investments are key to increasing communities’ access to nutritious food, strengthening their resilience to shocks and stresses, and lifting them from entrenched poverty.” 

Better food environments have also been flagged by the World Health Organization, as it highlights malnutrition is one of the world’s leading causes of death and illness.

By Andria Kades