Latest from Food Politics: What will the FDA do about peptides?

Last week, MAHA proudly announced that the FDA Panel appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr had approved 6 of 7 Peptides over the objections of FDA scientists. The vote is a win for HHS Secretary Kennedy and MAHA, opening a path for compounding ...

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By Marion Nestle July 29 2026 What will the FDA do about peptides? Last week, MAHA proudly announced that the FDA Panel appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr had approved 6 of 7 Peptides over the objections of FDA scientists. The vote is a win for HHS Secretary Kennedy and MAHA, opening a path for compounding pharmacies to prepare BPC-157, TB-500 and four other popular peptides by prescription.” The vote was close: RFK Jr’s personal appointees outnumbered FDA scientists concerned that the peptides have not been shown to be safe or effective. RFK Jr believes in peptides and loaded the panel with his appointees; six of his eight appointees sell peptides. The FDA raised concerns about conflicts of interest, but to no avail. This panel is strictly advisory.  The FDA does not have to accept its recommendations. The big question: Will the FDA accept this recommendation or reject it? If the acting head of FDA, Kyle Diamantas, accepts the panel’s recommendation, it will be a political, not scientific, decision. If he rejects the panel’s recommendation, hw risks losing his job. At stake: the FDA’s role as a science-based regulatory agency. Principles anyone? What this is about Peptides are small proteins (50 or fewer amino acids), some of which have regulatory actions in the body.  The best examples are GLP-1 drugs. They have to be injected; if swallowed as pills, they would be destroyed by digestive enzymes. For what this is about, see the excellent account in the New Yorker: Why Are People Injecting Themselves with Peptides? The ones just approved by the FDA committee are claimed (without much in the way of evidence) to do fabulous things for health. Peptide sellers have pushed hard for the FDA to approve them. Comment There is plenty of anecdotal evidence for the benefits of injected peptides, but no real science. Peptides go under the heading of dietary supplements, virtually unregulated as a result of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Consequently, you have no way of knowing if you are getting what the label says you are getting. Caveat emptor! I can’t wait to see what Diamantas does on this and what happens to him if he does the right thing and rejects the panel’s recommendations. ____________________ Pub date is September 8. Pre-orders through UC Press get a 30% discount. Use promo code UCPSAVE30. The post What will the FDA do about peptides? appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle      Related Posts The Cyclospora outbreak: an everyone-is-at-fault system failure: “LettuceGate” Industry-funded study of the week: Ashwagandha supplements Industry-funded study of the week: plant v. animal proteins   Now Available: What to Eat Now My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out! It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously. For more information and to order, click here. You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs. Visit the Site » ​​​​​​​ Marion Nestle Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita © Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe. Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy

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