Focusing on the Food in the Food and Drug Administration

When most people think of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they likely picture its role in regulating pharmaceuticals. But the word “food” comes first in its name— and the FDA has a new vision to ensure that food is a source of wellness for all. This vision is critical in addressing two pressing public health challenges: unhealthy dietary patterns and obesity among children.

While the FDA has made strides in safeguarding the nation’s food supply from contaminants and ensuring accurate labeling, childhood obesity rates continue to climb. Tackling this epidemic requires a broader commitment to food quality and nutrition. It’s time to reimagine the FDA’s role—not just as a protector against foodborne illness and chemical additives, but as a proactive force in combating the long-term impacts of unhealthy diets on future generations.

The Intersection of Food Safety and Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing public health crisis in the United States, affecting nearly one in five children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This epidemic does not just harm children’s immediate health; it sets the stage for a lifetime of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers. At the same time, foodborne illnesses affect millions of Americans each year, with children among the most vulnerable due to their developing immune systems.

These two issues are deeply interconnected. Many of the foods marketed to children—highly processed, nutrient-poor, and laden with sugar, trans fats, and chemical additives —are not only contributors to obesity but are also more susceptible to contamination due to their complex supply chains. Tackling both crises requires a coordinated approach, one that prioritizes the nation’s future by placing early childhood nutrition at the core of FDA’s regulatory framework.

Obesity Starts on the Plate

The root causes of childhood obesity are multifaceted, encompassing everything from genetics to socioeconomic status. However, one of the most immediate drivers is diet. Studies show that nearly 70% of calories consumed by children come from ultra-processed foods—packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and ready-to-eat meals loaded with preservatives and additives. These foods are often cheaper and more accessible than fresh produce, making them staples in many households, especially in low-income communities.

The FDA plays a critical role in shaping the food environment through its authority over food labeling and standards. Clear, accurate labeling of added sugars, trans fats, and other harmful ingredients is essential for empowering parents and caregivers to make healthier choices. But labeling alone isn’t enough. The FDA must also push for reformulation of products to reduce harmful components and improve nutritional quality, particularly in foods targeted at children.

Food Safety’s Role in the Equation

While addressing obesity requires a focus on nutrition, food safety cannot be overlooked. Contaminants such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria continue to pose serious threats to public health. Outbreaks linked to fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods highlight the vulnerabilities in our food system, many of which disproportionately affect children. A child recovering from a foodborne illness may develop long-term complications, and exposure to these pathogens further weakens the ability to maintain a healthy diet.

Foodborne illnesses and obesity share a critical commonality: they are both preventable. The FDA’s oversight of food safety should extend to ensuring that nutrient-rich foods—like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins—are safe, affordable, and widely available. Investing in the safety of healthy foods reduces barriers to access and supports broader public health goals.

Reclaiming FDA’s Role in Childhood Nutrition

To truly address the intertwined crises of food safety and childhood obesity, the FDA must take bold, proactive steps to prioritize nutrition and food quality:

• Regulate Marketing to Children: Children are bombarded by advertisements for unhealthy snacks and sugary beverages. The FDA should work with other agencies to limit the marketing of these products and promote healthier alternatives. Restrictions on packaging that targets children, such as cartoon characters or misleading health claims, can also reduce the appeal of junk food.
• Strengthen Food Labeling Standards: While strides have been made in labeling requirements for added sugars and trans fats, more needs to be done. Clearer front-of-package labeling, such as traffic-light systems for nutritional content, can help parents quickly assess food quality.
• Incentivize Reformulation: The FDA should encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Incentives such as subsidies for healthier formulations or penalties for excessive unhealthy content could accelerate this change.
• Expand Food Safety Oversight on Nutritional Foods: While ensuring the safety of processed foods is critical, equal attention must be paid to fresh produce and minimally processed items, which are key to a healthy diet. The FDA should invest in better tracking, testing, and recall systems for these foods to build consumer confidence.
• Collaborate on Broader Food System Changes: The FDA cannot act alone. Partnerships with the USDA, schools, and local governments can drive systemic changes, such as increasing access to healthy foods in underserved areas and integrating nutrition education into school curriculums.

A Vision for the Future

Focusing on the “food” in the Food and Drug Administration means expanding its focus from food safety to food quality, with a particular emphasis on protecting and promoting children’s health. By tackling the obesity epidemic at its source—on the plate—the FDA can help reverse decades-long trends in poor nutrition and chronic disease. This requires leveraging data, science, and policy to create a healthier food system, one that prioritizes both safety and nutrition.

The health of our children is a reflection of the priorities we set as a society. With bold action and coordinated effort, we can ensure that the FDA fulfills its dual mandate of protecting the food supply and promoting public health. It’s time to reimagine the FDA’s role—not just as a guardian of food safety, but as a champion for healthier, brighter futures for all children.