The FDA or the Food and Drug Administration is one organization that takes upon its shoulders the responsibility of public health.
Regulatory mechanisms exist in every country to administer policies and ensure safety and health of public. There is science involved. Through research and tests, the FDA provides information for the consumer.
Each year, plenty of food products and medicines flood the market. These products are developed by companies at their own laboratories and need to be examined in the light of the health of people.
Greater emphasis is laid on the safety aspect. But to cope up with the tremendous amount of product supply in the market, greater investment is required to enhance the quality of the investigation carried out.
Food products and drugs need to go through FDA for approval before they can release the product in the market for general consumption.
Products that are found to be non compliant aren’t approved and need to go for redressal. Preventing microbiological hazards, food borne illness, controlling toxins, monitoring antibiotic resistance in food borne pathogens are some of the opportunities where FDA can increase their footprint.
Salmonella is a common cause of food borne illness in US and is found in animal products. Modern technology to speed the detection and prevent the outbreak or reduce its effect is an area where the FDA can focus with better scientific leadership and investment.
What do FDA consultants do?
The industry medical, food and beauty require consultants. They with their expertise in the requisite field of interest offer regulatory and other advice that companies manufacturing products can use. The Quality assurance department of an organization requires their assistance. Very often FDA consultants also offer guidance on the packaging of a product. Safety and health is a major concern of the FDA. In this area of interest, FDA consultants acquire experience from working with the various regulatory norms and standards that apply. Cosmetics and food development companies can use this database of information and experience to get their product tested against various norms.
In addition, they can help develop strategies that optimize the likelihood of approval, reduce cost and speed up the time to market. Some organizations require the FDA consultants to also put into practice the strategy they helped develop.
Whereas some consultants may be asked to help on demand, others may be employed for a fixed monthly fee to perform all regulatory duties on the part of the organization.
Why do we need FDA consultants?
Since these professionals are equipped with the knowledge required to perform FDA related tasks, it is considered best to employ their services. Their expertise in the area of research and regulatory mechanism along with the know-how of ingredients that are safe or not, makes them indispensable to an organization looking to work closely with the health safety program.
Health is an important aspect of life. It is the individual’s as well as the government’s responsibility to ensure its people consumed and use safe products.