Food Nutrition and Agriculture - 8/9 Consumer Participation in food control (1993): Involving consumers in food control in the united states: (introduction...)

Food Nutrition and Agriculture - 8/9 Consumer Participation in food control (1993)

Involving consumers in food control in the united states

		*(introduction...)*
		History of FDA's process to integrate consumer interests
		Impact and effectiveness of consumer organizations
		Responding to consumers' demand for good nutrition
		Initiatives to provide access
		Challenges ahead

(introduction...)

C.T. Guilford

Claudette T. Guilford is the Director of the Consumer Affairs and Information Staff, Office of Regulatory Affairs, United States Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC.

Consumer involvement has been an inherent aspect of food control in the United States since 1906 when the Food and Drug Act was passed. Since 25 percent of the goods purchased by Americans are regulated by the Food arid Drug Administration (FDA), the public clearly has a strong interest in the agency's policies and activities. In its efforts to provide access, information, education and assistance to consumers, FDA has initiated a number of activities. The consumer education mission of FDA is to inform and educate consumers about FDA's policies and programmes and the impact they have on public health; to facilitate a dialogue between consumers and the agency; and to ensure that consumer views are included in FDA's decision-making process.