Bill to Create New U.S. Food Safety Agency Reintroduced
On December 10, 2025, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin reintroduced the Federal Food Administration Act, which would create an entirely original, independent federal food agency, moving responsibility for oversight of the food supply from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a newly created Federal Food Administration.
Despite the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) more than a decade ago and the creation of the Human Foods Program in 2024, the agency has failed to make significant progress toward preventing rates of foodborne illness and deaths, the Congresspeople argue. They cite significant foodborne illness outbreaks that have occurred in recent years, such as the ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart-brand formula and a widespread lead poisoning incident caused by adulterated cinnamon used in applesauce packages that sickened more than 500 children.
Although FDA is responsible for regulating approximately 80 percent of the nation’s food supply, food safety is “treated like a second-class citizen” at the agency, remarked Rep. DeLauro. “Currently, food safety oversight is scattered across multiple agencies with the bulk of the responsibility falling to [FDA],” she said. “This legislation would put one agency clearly in charge with the singular mission of protecting our food supply with the resources, staff, and focus to achieve that goal.”
The Commissioner of the proposed Federal Food Administration would be Senate-confirmed.
The Federal Food Administration Act was also introduced in 2024, but it did not progress.
Joining Sen. Durbin and Rep. DeLauro as original cosponsors of the 2025 Federal Food Administration Act are Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Sara Jacobs.
The legislation is endorsed by Consumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America, the Environmental Working Group, and STOP Foodborne Illness.
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