47K People Sign Appeal to New FDA Chief to Reverse Sunscreen Decision, Support Modern Non-Animal Tests

For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2025

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

Today, PETA delivered an appeal signed by nearly 47,000 supporters and a letter from PETA scientists calling on the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Dr. Martin Makary, to reverse the agency’s baffling decision to require sunscreen manufacturers to test their products on animals, despite decades of safe sunscreen use by millions of people worldwide.

PETA scientists also challenge Makary to right the wrongs of previous administrations and take additional action to modernize the FDA’s antiquated reliance on decades-old tests on animals.  

While previous statements from the FDA have indicated strong support for reliable and human-relevant, non-animal methods, the agency has largely failed to meet the mark in practice. Instead, it has created roadblocks to using non-animal methods and has fallen behind other countries in advancing human health protection.

PETA scientists’ letter outlines actions Makary can immediately take to correct the FDA’s course and adopt superior, human-relevant approaches instead of using archaic tests on animals.

“The FDA faces a moment of truth—update testing requirements to include non-animal methods and embrace decades of scientific progress or continue failing the American public with century-old science that’s often irrelevant to human health,” said Jeffrey Brown, Science Advisor at PETA. “Non-animal testing strategies are the cornerstone of efficient and effective drug development that keep us safer without forcing animals to suffer in tests. The American public doesn’t want their sunscreens and other products tested using animals, and the FDA can make a tremendous impact by committing to humane science that’s already in use worldwide.”

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