During a Senate budget hearing last week, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg stressed the need for a total of $1.5B for food safety and nutrition for fiscal year 2016, including significant funds increase to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act ("FSMA"). Hamburg explained that the additional funding is necessary to implement the major elements of FSMA, and that a budget shortfall will undermine Congress's intent to transform the U.S. food safety system. Specifically, Hamburg said that the funding is important for modernizing inspections and staff training, providing guidance and technical assistance, working with states, and raising the level of oversight abroad. During the hearing, Hamburg also fielded questions regarding irrigation water, funding allocations for research conducted by FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and FDA's plans to involve USDA in implementing FSMA. Hamburg also reiterated that although the budget request is sizable in comparison to previous requests, it was not excessive in terms of what the Agency needs to fulfill its duties.
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