As part of the FDA’s new Human Foods Program reorganization, which went into effect Oct. 1, the agency has announced a streamlined approach for processing consumer complaints. The process includes steps to handle whistleblower complaints in addition to consumer complaints.
Whistleblower complaints came to the forefront in 2022 when a complaint regarding problems at an Abbott Laboratories infant formula production plant was mishandled, causing a delay in FDA action amid an outbreak of Cronobacter infections in babies. That outbreak caused a massive recall of infant formula, resulting in nationwide shortages. The Food and Drug Administration’s updated process is a “streamlined approach for processing complaints, including whistleblower complaints, that will improve the agency’s ability to detect and respond to problems related to FDA-regulated products and better protect public health,” according to an agency announcement.
“A complaint may be about an illness, injury, allergic reaction, or other health-related issue or defects in the quality or safety of an FDA-regulated food, dietary supplement, or cosmetic product. Now, the public can direct complaints about foods and dietary supplements to HFP (Human Foods Program) by using our online reporting forms.” Consumers can use the Foods and Dietary Supplements complaint forms at the Safety Reporting Portal .
The link to these forms and more information about submitting questions or complaints about FDA-regulated produ.
