The role of scientific and expert advisory committees in food product research and approval.

Scientific and expert advisory committees responsible for food products often have the advantage of being relatively unhindered by rigid regulations and the simultaneous disadvantage of having few guidelines to clarify their role in directing the research and approval process. Committees can thus miss opportunities to function in a proactive advisory capacity, and to assist in predetermining what research and documentation are necessary for regulatory approval of a particular food product. This paper examines the ways scientific and expert committees for nutritional products can contribute to formulation of procedures for effective hypothesis and study design development, preparation of well-structured, complete dossiers for product approval, and transparent interactions with petitioners.