Source: FDA, 9/4/13

Introduction
The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN or Center) is a science-based, public health regulatory center in the Food and Drug Administration. The Center works to ensure that the nation’s foods and cosmetics are safe and properly labeled. CFSAN’s responsibilities are broad, dynamic, and complex, with a large proportion of the work devoted to addressing new and challenging issues:
•      Globalization of the food supply chain
•      Changing industry processes
•      Consumer preferences for fresh and minimally processed foods

The following plan for program priorities outlines the Center’s strategic goals and objectives for protecting the public from adulterated food and cosmetics and for providing useful nutritional information on food labels. The plan recognizes developments in the food and cosmetic sectors and incorporates new responsibilities, tools, and authorities established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The plan necessarily omits many other important CFSAN food safety, nutrition, and cosmetic programs and activities. These include review of infant formula notifications, pre- and post-market regulation of ingredients and packaging, monitoring for chemical contaminants, authorization of health and nutrient content claims, cosmetics labeling, and ongoing regulatory, enforcement, communications, education, international, and outreach activities. These programs and activities will continue to operate and receive appropriate leadership and management attention to function effectively and efficiently within the bounds of available resources. The Center has finalized a separate CFSAN Science and Research Strategic Plan1. The CFSAN Science and Research Strategic Plan will ensure that the Center’s science and research activities are aligned with the Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program’s strategic goals and objectives.  

Program Goals
The 2013–2014 Plan for Program Priorities details specific objectives for achieving six key program goals. With the understanding that shifting national priorities and funding limitations may effect change, the Center is focusing its resources and staff to efficiently and effectively meet the challenges ahead.

1.      Reduce foodborne illness rates and cosmetic injury rates each year.
2.      Establish regulations, policies, guidances, and inspection and compliance strategies based on best science, prevention, and public health risk.
3.      Increase compliance with newly created preventive control standards across the farm-to-table continuum.
4.      Improve public health indicators through better nutrition and dietary choices.
5.      Develop and swiftly deploy the fastest most effective methods for identifying, containing, and eliminating food and cosmetic hazards.
6.      Achieve optimal use of staff and resources.