We hope that FDA will immediately fulfill this mandate. FDA should not broaden the eligibility criteria for expedited review. We believe that expedited review should only be available for petitions that present a compelling public health justification. We cannot think of any rationale other than food safety for moving an additive petition to the head of the FDA line. Broadening the criteria for expedited review without additional resources would only dilute the agency's efforts and increase the backlog of additive petitions.
Expedited review is a response to the delays in the operation of the current review process.
While that response is commendable as a temporary accommodation to avoid excessive delays in the introduction of new food safety technologies, it is not a solution to the serious problems caused by the current delays. The expedited review procedure has costs, as well as benefits. Expediting certain petitions means that other petitions, which are legally entitled to timely consideration, are delayed far beyond the statutory time frame. Expanding eligibility for expedited review would leave those petitions still ineligible for expedited review with even longer review times. Further delay of petitions not eligible for expedited review is something that should be avoided.