Does the FDA Really Protect Americans?
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A debate has been sparked in this country given the new found focus on our healthcare and food system. Are we really getting the best kind of care and food or are we just put into a perpetual state of chronic illness by the same companies and government organizations that claim they are there to protect us?
The debate has seemingly shifted in the direction or no, no we are not actually being protected and kept healthy by these organizations. In fact, there is mounting evidence that we are slowly but surely being poisoned to keep us in a state of chronic illness as a nation.
One need not look further than across the pond and the food system in Europe. Countless ingredients that are far too prevalent in our food system that have harmful effects on humans are the same harmful ingredients that Europeans have banned outright from their food products. In essence, their processed foods are far less harmful than the processed foods in the United States.
One of the great examples being passed around today is a simple box of cereal.
As you can see, the difference is a stark contrast in the amount and kind of ingredients European countries allow in the same product sold overseas. On top of the colorings, artificial flavors, and seed oils, the vitamins that are used to "fortify" the cereal are synthetic forms of vitamins.
The controversy has gotten to a point where Kellogg has been met with strong protests over these ingredients... and not to mention the fact they claimed to be removing these ingredients by 2018. Nope, that isn't a typo. They are well behind their own promise to remove these ingredients, which is a big reason the brand has been met with strong consumer opposition recently.
If this is the type of food the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) allows in our food system, is it any wonder our healthcare system is overrun and do either truly act in our best interests?
In this blog post, we plan to take a dive into how the FDA and healthcare companies work in tandem to make sure a large portion of the population are chronically ill.
Benefits of the FDA
Now, it's hard to say what, if any, the benefits of the FDA are since we can see through these so-called "benefits" firsthand. However, in an effort to be as partial as possible, we figured we would post the supposed benefits, that way, you can determine for yourself whether or not you feel this government organization lives up to its mandate. (Hint: it doesn't)...
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Public Health Protection: The FDA's primary role is to ensure that food, drugs, medical devices, and other products are safe and effective. This includes rigorous testing and approval processes for pharmaceuticals, which aim to prevent harmful drugs from reaching the market.
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Consumer Confidence: By setting standards for safety and efficacy, the FDA helps build consumer trust in the products they use, from food to pharmaceuticals. This confidence is crucial for public health and economic stability in these industries.
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Innovation and Research: The FDA's regulatory framework, while often criticized for being too stringent, also pushes companies to innovate. The need for FDA approval encourages research and development to meet high standards, potentially leading to better products.
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Crisis Management: The FDA plays a critical role in managing health crises, like pandemics or food contamination outbreaks, by providing guidelines, approvals for emergency use, and recalls when necessary.
As far as number one goes, its pretty obvious by the ingredients present in our food supply that they do not live up to this mandate, more so, they play lip service to it, pretending they are keeping harmful chemicals out of our food when in reality, they just allow these toxins in most of the processed food out there.
Obviously, this has eroded consumer confidence in the organization as more and more people wake up to these facts. Innovation and research? There is no arguing there have been pharmaceuticals that have been beneficial to many people who need them, however, there are just as many, if not more that have done unimaginable harm. When it comes to crisis management, they may be lacking in this category as well.
Fear not. Hope could be on the horizon when the likes of Robert F. Kennedy shake up the FDA in a big way. Perhaps then they can live up to their mandate.
Criticisms and Concerns of the FDA
The criticisms and concerns surrounding the FDA are multifaceted, reflecting a complex interplay between public health, industry influence, regulatory processes, and political dynamics. Here's an expanded look based on general knowledge and discussions up to 2024:
Regulatory Capture and Industry Influence
Revolving Door
Critics often point to the "revolving door" between the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, where officials move between regulatory roles and industry positions. This can lead to conflicts of interest, potentially prioritizing industry profits over public health.
Funding Model
A significant portion of the FDA's drug review budget comes from user fees paid by pharmaceutical companies. This funding model raises concerns about impartiality, suggesting that the FDA might be more inclined to approve drugs to maintain this revenue stream.
Most Americans are completely unaware of this fact, but did you know that the FDA receives almost half its funding from companies it regulates, such as drug and medical device makers. Talk about a conflict of interest, especially when you think about all the medicinal drugs that have contributed to keeping illegal, like psilocybin and other psychedelics that can help with symptoms of PTSD and other mental health disorders.
Approval Process Concerns
Speed vs. Safety
The balance between getting drugs to market quickly and ensuring their safety has always been contentious. Critics argue that the FDA sometimes prioritizes speed over thorough safety assessments, especially under political pressure or in response to public health crises.
Accelerated Approval
The accelerated approval pathway, designed for drugs addressing serious conditions, has come under scrutiny. Some drugs approved through this process have later been found to have limited efficacy or significant side effects, leading to questions about post-approval monitoring.
Lack of Randomized Clinical Trials
There's criticism that the FDA doesn't always mandate randomized clinical trials powered for clinical endpoints, which could lead to approvals based on surrogate endpoints that might not translate into real health benefits.
Transparency and Accountability
Decision-Making Process
The lack of transparency in how decisions are made, especially controversial ones, fuels distrust. Public and scientific communities often demand more openness about what data influences approvals or rejections.
Post-Market Surveillance
While the FDA has systems for post-market surveillance, critics argue these are insufficient. Issues with drugs or devices often surface after widespread use, suggesting that pre-approval processes might miss critical safety concerns.
Public Health and Policy
Response to Health Crises
The FDA's handling of health crises, like the opioid epidemic or the initial response to HIV/AIDS, has been criticized. There's a perception that the agency can be slow or overly cautious, potentially costing lives.
Nutrition and Food Safety
Beyond pharmaceuticals, the FDA's oversight of food, especially concerning GMOs, additives, and contaminants like heavy metals in baby food, has drawn criticism for perceived leniency or slow action.
Political Influence
Executive and Congressional Pressure
The FDA's decisions can be influenced by political pressures from the executive branch or Congress, potentially skewing decisions towards political rather than scientific considerations.
So, Does the FDA Really Protect Americans?
By now, you've probably arrived at your own conclusion on whether or not the FDA has a positive impact on the health and wellness of the American people. In an ideal world, it is a much needed government organization that the people would benefit from. Problem is, we live far from ideal.
The reality is it's just another corrupt government organization that seems to serve its own self-interest above that of the American people. However, there is cause for hope.
The American people are finally waking up to the corruption and inefficacy of the FDA and with the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, help may be on the way. Robert F. Kennedy has vowed to do away with entire departments of the FDA in a move that could course correct for the entire organization for the benefit of We The People...
Making America Healthy Again
There was a time where Americans were in charge of their own health and sovereignty. Sadly, those days may be behind us, but we aren't going without a fight and neither should you. That's why we started Based Nutrition and came out with our flagship product, the Based Beef Organ Multivitamin.
This is a multivitamin made from 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef organs, with natural forms of many of the essential vitamins your body needs. Despite all the competition from well-known brands on the market, we differentiate ourselves by removing all the synthetics and poison these common products contain.
Help us by joining the fight to Make America Healthy Again. Make America Based Again!
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