The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) role in safeguarding public health is thought to be fundamental; unfortunately, its credibility has been severely undermined by the startling contradictions between its regulatory oversight of vaccines and its failure to adequately regulate the safety of our food.
With the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services, we’re likely to hear much more about the FDA, public health, and the issue of vaccines in the coming days. These conversations will likely be uncomfortable for many. But before we get into these conversations, we would be wise to prepare ourselves, asking questions ourselves, doing our research, and confronting realities that may be difficult to face. To start that process, here are a few things I have been pondering lately.
For starters, how can we trust the FDA to ensure vaccine safety when it continues to allow toxic substances in our food supply? Consider, for example, the FDA’s persistent approval of chemicals and additives in foods – things that are known to be harmful over time. Artificial food dyes, for instance – which are in every colored “fruit juice” drink – have been linked to hyperactivity in children, while preservatives like BHA and BHT are potentially cancer causing.
Despite mounting evidence of the negative effects these substances have on health, the FDA consistently allows their use in food production. If the FDA can’t protect us from such poisons in our everyday food, can we really trust them to regulate something as critical and sensitive as vaccines, which are injected directly into the bloodstream of our children?
The FDA’s track record of allowing corporate interests to shape its regulatory decisions is another cause for concern. For years, this agency has been accused of being too lenient with food and drug manufacturers, allowing them to prioritize profit over public safety. Whether it’s through approving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without sufficient long-term studies or allowing harmful substances like glyphosate, an herbicide linked to cancer, to persist in our food, the FDA has demonstrated a troubling pattern of favoring the industry influence over the well-being of us, the consumers.
Then there’s the issue of transparency. The FDA has been criticized for not being forthcoming with information about the safety profiles of food additives and drugs. This same lack of transparency applies to the approval and regulation of vaccines. The public is often left in the dark about the long-term safety data and potential risks associated with the mountain of scheduled vaccines, despite their widespread use. If the FDA cannot adequately communicate the risks of food additives, why should we trust it to be transparent about the risks of vaccines?
These conflicts of interest call into question whether the agency’s oversight of vaccines is driven by the best interests of public health or by pressure from pharmaceutical companies. Until the FDA proves it is willing to protect consumers from harmful substances in food, isn’t it hard to trust its ability to ensure that vaccines are both safe and effective?
If you're a parent that does your homework, I am sure these thoughts have crossed your mind as well, perhaps even playing into some of the decisions you have made regarding vaccines and the foods you feed your children. That’s good. Let’s keep thinking these thoughts and raising these questions, holding those in authority accountable for their actions.
Ashley Carter is a wife, mother, and grandmother living in Elmore County, where she and her husband run Farm to Table Living and Carter Farms. Ashley serves as Controller and Executive Assistant at 1819 News. She is currently working on an inspirational book of short stories. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email ashley.carter@1819news.com.
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