FDA’s Food Safety Director Agrees to Testify on Infant Formula Crisis - United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

WASHINGTON—To assist in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability’s ongoing investigation into the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) response to the 2022 nationwide infant formula shortage, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) has called upon Dr. Susan Mayne, Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the FDA, to appear before the Subcommittee. Today, Dr. Mayne agreed to testify at a public hearing on May 11, 2023, at 2:00 pm.

“I am pleased that Dr. Mayne has at last agreed to testify before the Subcommittee. Her testimony is critical to our investigation into the nationwide formula crisis. We are going to finally get answers we need related to the FDA’s internal failures that led our nation to the formula crisis, actions the FDA has or has not taken to prevent a similar crisis from happening again, and concerns about the FDA’s review of the crisis which was not independently conducted,” said Chairwoman McClain.

Following requests to appear before the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) requested Dr. Mayne appear for a transcribed interview. The transcribed interview request prompted Dr. Mayne to finally arrange availability for testimony at a public hearing.

Background:

The FDA’s dysfunction and delay worsened the formula crisis. FDA officials have stated that the agency’s budget and resources prioritize the drug program over the food program.
Affiliated parties at the FDA have still not been held accountable. Instead of removing or reassigning the individuals at fault for the poor response to this crisis, the FDA simply announced restructuring of the food and nutrition division.
The FDA has failed to conduct an independent, objective review of the crisis. Former FDA officials have testified before the Subcommittee that then acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock ghost authored the crisis report.