US nutrition sector calls for increased federal spending ahead of fiscal year 2022

09 Jun 2021 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released guidance outlining key investments for the nutrition sector within President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request – the President’s recommendation to Congress on annual federal spending. 

The Budget Request aims to extend funding to emerging issues of concern in the nutrition space, such as maternal and infant health. This is in addition to channeling support toward a “new era of smarter food safety” and emerging chemical and toxicology issues.

Shortly before this announcement, leading trade associations of the dietary supplement industry had come together in an open letter calling for additional funding of US$5 million, within the Budget’s capacity.

“While Senate Appropriations Committee hearings are underway and the House begins its hearings later this month, the Congressional timeframe for FY2022 spending is still unclear,” Julia Gustafson, vice president of government relations at Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), tells NutritionInsight.

The Budget Request aims to extend funding to emerging issues of concern in the nutrition space, such as maternal and infant health.

CHPA was among the signatories of the open letter, which included the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA).

“CRN and other stakeholders including the Pew Charitable Trusts were successful in our requests to secure US$3 million in additional funding for FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) in fiscal year 2020,” details Gustafson.

The additional funds brought ODSP’s overall funding level to over US$11 million. “The suggestion of an additional US$5 million for FY2022 would increase ODSP’s budget to over US$16 million.”

Maternal nutrition sector bolstered
Maternal health emerged in key focus in the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request and was allocated an additional US$18 million in funding.

The Budget Request calls for the allocation of resources to facilitate regulatory actions to address the toxic elements in foods consumed by babies and young children.

In the US, more than 170 million consumers use dietary supplements each year as a cost-effective way to take an active role in managing their healthcare.Notably, toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium are present in water and soil, so some exposure through food is unavoidable. However, exposure for infants and young children could potentially be reduced.

The Budget Request also recommends the premarket review of infant formula submissions to evaluate the safety and nutritional adequacy of these products, for which there is limited staff review capacity.

The commercial opportunities for nutritional products that support maternal and infant well-being have proliferated over the last year. This is in line with increasing scientific evidence indicating that a mother’s nutritional status before and in early pregnancy influences her baby’s growth and development, while helping reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. 

Funding is needed to sustain robust growth
In the US, more than 170 million consumers use dietary supplements each year as a cost-effective way to take an active role in managing their healthcare.

After the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement industry has grown from around US$6 billion in annual sales to over US$55 billion in 2020After the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement industry has grown from around US$6 billion in annual sales to over US$55 billion in 2020, according to the CRN-led industry coalition.

“This robust growth of the industry reflects not only increased interest among consumers for these products, but also significant advancements in the science of nutrition and wellness,” notes the industry coalition.

“It also brings new regulatory responsibilities for FDA to monitor the marketplace appropriately.”

The coalition of nutrition industry stakeholders are working closely with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to support additional funding for ODSP.

“This year there were some requests from Senate offices for US$5 million in additional funding and we followed the lead of the Senators who likely have information from the FDA to support that request,” Gustafson highlights.

“While any federal spending is ultimately up to Congress and the Agency, we anticipate that with increased funding, FDA’s office could hire more full-time employees and devote additional staff to review new dietary ingredient notifications to help increase enforcement action and coordinate activities of FDA inspectors in the field,” she continues.

“We are also continuing to advocate for FDA to establish mandatory product listing and provide a legal pathway to market for CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids in dietary supplements.”

By Benjamin Ferrer, with additional reporting by Katherine Durrell

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