After 120 years, the Food and Drug Administration finally has an official seal.
FDA Commissioner Marty Macari, MD, MPH, unveiled the agency’s new visual identity press release on January 28th noted that the purpose of the design is to “help people better understand who we are and the many things we do.”
The FDA was established in 1906 under the Food and Drug Act at a time when there were no national standards of safety, quality, or purity for the industrial production of foods, beverages, drugs, or cosmetics. Over the past century, the FDA has become one of the largest regulatory agencies in the world.
Along the way, the Administration has endured fierce criticism from those who see it as too strict and narrow-minded, as well as from others who say it is too lax and uneven in regulating Big Food and Big Pharma.
Macari, who was previously a laparoscopic surgeon at Johns Hopkins before taking over as FDA commissioner last March, contends that many ordinary Americans don’t really understand what the FDA does or why it exists. This year, the agency’s 120th anniversary, he and his staff hope to tell the agency’s story. The new seal, which augments but doesn’t replace the long-standing block-letter logo, is the first step toward achieving that goal.
In addition to focusing on the FDA’s mission statement—To protect public health (“Protection of public health” in Latin) – the logo contains a number of symbolic elements that, according to Macari’s office, visually express the agency’s history and vision:
Circle Border: The seal’s circular border consists of 120 golden triangles, representing 120 years of FDA service to the American people. Notably, the same motif appears on the border of the HHS seal, providing a visual link to the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA.
White shield: The white shield symbolizes the FDA’s role in civil and criminal enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a mission the agency carries out “with transparency and integrity,” according to its website.
Scepter of Aesculapius, Greek god of medicine: Due to the snake’s ability to shed its skin and rejuvenate, the ancient Greeks considered it a symbol of healing. Above the staff is a finial in the shape of a small globe, indicating the global reach of the FDA and its international locations.
Bald Eagle: A familiar American symbol, this rendition of the Bald Eagle has spread its wings to represent the broad and comprehensive mission of the FDA to protect public health and regulate the safety and quality of a variety of food, pharmaceutical, and medical device products.
Open book: A textbook (thankfully not a computer screen!) based on the staff of Askulapi means learning, knowledge, and the pursuit of science, according to the FDA release. It also represents the laws (on the books!) that the FDA is obligated to enforce, specifically the 1906 Act that created the agency. “The Red Book is mandatory for the power and authority of the FDA, the oldest comprehensive consumer protection agency in the U.S. federal government,” the press release explains.
Double-stranded DNA: Next to the shield on the left is a dual display of DNA, the FDA’s “commitment to gold standard science” — a catchphrase now widely used by all agencies under RFK Jr.’s HHS — and technological progress.
Cereal packages: On the other side of the logo, mirroring the DNA helix are twisted stalks of wheat, which the FDA press release says is intended to represent the nation’s food supply and the FDA’s responsibility to enforce food safety standards. It’s an interesting symbolic choice, given the ongoing debate about the role of whole grains in human health and disease.
Eight stars: Surrounding the Constellation of Aesculapius is a ring of eight stars, each of which represents an industry sector regulated by the FDA: food, drugs, medical devices, radiation products, vaccines/blood/biologicals, animal and veterinary products, cosmetics, and tobacco.
“Today, FDA employees work to prevent and respond to crises and public emergencies, such as when a foodborne illness or hurricane reduces local drug supplies. They inspect foreign pharmaceutical facilities to ensure the safety of generic drugs. They analyze food and drug samples to determine the presence of dangerous contaminants. FDA Office of Public Affairs.
“They also bring life-changing treatments to market. They advocate for children and infants and patients with rare, hard-to-treat diseases. They work every day to ensure patient safety and patient access to meaningful treatments. All of these important services and more can be found under the FDA seal.”
As with the existing FDA block letter logo, there are strict prohibitions on using the new seal. It may not be used by companies, trade groups, media companies or influencers for commercial or promotional purposes.
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