Food and Drug Administration Enforcement

The House Energy Subcommittee on Health and the Environment heard testimony from representatives of the Food and Drug Administration on the enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, Cosmetic, and Device Enforcement Act, which regulated consumer products' labelling, advertising and ingredient listings. The subcommittee also heard testimony on an amendment to the act which would allow the FDA the authority to recall products in violation of the act, and fine companies that continue to violate the regulations in the act. During the previous six months, the FDA had taken action against several products for failing to abide by truth-in-labelling regulations. Most notably, the FDA targeted several orange juice manufacturers for labeling their processed orange juice as being “fresh.” Witnesses testified on the enforcement practices of the FDA, including the authority of the FDA to enter and inspect food and drug manufacturers' premises to investigate claims of violations of the Food, Drug, Cosm close