FDA Citizen Petition: Demanding Change
- Jasmine Uchi, PharmD
- Jul 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 8
On July 10, 2023, our team filed a Citizen Petition to the FDA urging them to take vital action on the labeling of animal-derived ingredients in health products. This petition stems from concerns regarding the current lack of transparency and the challenges faced by many consumers with health-related, dietary, religious, or moral restrictions. Many individuals, including those with Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), allergies, religious dietary requirements, and ethical concerns, are unable to effectively identify and avoid products containing animal-derived ingredients.
What is a Citizen Petition?
A Citizen Petition is a formal request by individuals or groups to the government, urging specific action on an issue. It allows citizens to voice concerns and influence public policy for positive change. A Citizen Petition differs from a general grassroots petition because, under federal agency rules, the agency must respond to a Citizen Petition.
How does a Citizen Petition work?
What changes are we requesting?
Require drug and dietary supplement manufacturers to clearly label whether ingredients used in their products are animal-derived.
Encourage manufacturers to replace animal-derived ingredients with plant-based and/or synthetic alternatives when viable options are available.
Confirm that labeling of drugs and dietary supplements may include a certification symbol denoting the absence of animal-derived ingredients.
Why is this Citizen Petition important?
Currently, drug and dietary supplement manufacturers are not required to disclose whether their products contain animal-derived ingredients. This lack of labeling transparency poses challenges for consumers and healthcare professionals alike. By mandating disclosure of animal-derived ingredients, the FDA can empower consumers and healthcare professionals to make better informed decisions about their health.
How can you support our Citizen Petition?
Visit https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2023-P-2852-0001
Click on “Comment”
Submit!
On behalf of the entire team at VeganMed, we would like to express our great appreciation to all of those who have been supporting us. Without your support, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this great milestone! This milestone is one step closer to transparency and clearer labelling when it comes to animal-derived ingredients in health products.
Have questions or need assistance in signing our Citizen Petition? Contact us at info@veganmed.org.
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.
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Thank you for your awareness and concern for animal-derived ingredients!
As a reminder, please comment on our FDA Citizen Petition, requesting clear labeling of animal-derived ingredients in medications. Together, we can make a difference.
If you have any further questions about ingredients in your medicines and supplements, feel free to reach out to the VeganMed team!
My wife contracted Alpha Gal over four years ago along with Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. First Responders, ER doctors and RNs and our Primary Care doctor had never heard of it. After many tests and a week in the hospital with a heart monitor - no one could diagnose the issues. We had to google the symptoms and we had to beg for, and pay out of pocket, the allergy screenings. We can not go out to eat, medicine must be compounded ($$$) and its taken four years to adapt to this new lifestyle. You don't want this! It's expensive and ANY cross contamination can cause a trip to the ER. Food choices are very limited and inconvenient to access.…
Please make all labels for food medicine and household goods that have mammal by-products or processing. Alpha Gal Syndrome is a life threatening allergic reaction to all mammals and by products due to a tick bite. I have several apps. Loaded on my phone to check for ingredients but they don't catch them all. When you have to limit what foods you can eat but still have reactions to hidden items , it's frightening when you have a reaction and don't know why. Epipens are expensive over $100 on my insurance so having a label that clearly states it is completely vegan would help me and others so much. Medications are also a big area that needs addressing. Having litt…
I've had so many reactions to medications that was said suitable for vegan but once I started getting allergic reactions, I knew it wasn't suitable for someone with histamine intolerance, galactose malabsorbtion or Alpha-Gal Syndrome which isn't labeled and definitely not strictly vegan. Many times Pharmacist, Doctors doesn't know if its safe for me and its always a hassle to research and hope for the best. When reading ingredients it doesn't always say if the sources are mammalian or plant and many companies refused to disclose that information. I had to take a prescription medicine and a company came back 1 month later to disclose their source is plant based. I always have to explain my allergy Alpha-Gal syndrome so…
In addition to rising numbers of Alpha Gal patients taking multiple medicines or supplements that do not include whether or not they have inactive mammalian by products in them that is risk to people's lives and health, millions of people of faith also avoid certain mammalian products . Thus labels for easy identification for medical persons, patients and general public of mammalian ingredients is needed.
As person with Alpha Gal, and having gone through various medical procedures, hospitalizations, medicines, and the severity of this condition can be potentially fatal if anaphylaxis reaction occurs, it is appropriate and VERY necessary to have any inactive ingredient that could cause allergic reaction to be included in product details or label.
The number of Alpha Gal cases are also rising. A very conservative number of cases in the U.S. alone is recently determined to be between 96,000 and 450,000 since 2010. The fact 20% to 78% go undiagnosed, per CNN July 27, 2023 report, also should give understanding the number could be higher. Hospitals, medical workers, pharmacist having to call manufacturers for every single medicine to know if i…