The Politics of the F.D.A.

A fight over posting calorie counts for popcorn is just one example of the clash between the White House and the agency charged with protecting public health. Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, the F.D.A. commissioner, was forced to scrap plans to have calorie counts posted for foods served in movie theaters and on airplanes after a phone call from the White House deputy chief of staff in 2010. From the article: "White House officials describe
their disagreements with the F.D.A. as part of the normal, constructive give-and-take over policy that has never undermined the agency?s mission.

'Under President Obama?s leadership, the Food and Drug Administration has new authority and resources to help stop kids from smoking, protect our food supply and approve more affordable prescription drugs,' said the White House press secretary, Jay Carney.

The administration also views the agency?s hostility to its oversight as hopelessly na?ve, given a 24-hour news cycle and a ferocious political environment that punishes any misstep.

'They want a world that doesn?t exist anymore,' an administration official said."

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