Advocacy Groups Warn: Mass FDA Layoffs Could Threaten Food Safety and the ‘MAHA’ Agenda

A group of 15 public health and food safety experts is worried about recent changes at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are particularly concerned about the firing of 89 staff members in the FDA’s Human Foods Program. This decision contributed to the resignation of Deputy Commissioner James (Jim) Jones.

The coalition, which includes prominent food safety advocates, emphasizes that safe and affordable food is essential for public health. They argue that a weakened food safety agency could hinder efforts to improve nutrition and safety standards for both children and adults. They stress that proper funding is crucial for handling foodborne outbreaks, updating safety standards, and training inspection teams to maintain food integrity.

Some notable members of this group are:

• Darin Detwiler, L.P.D., a well-known food safety expert.
• Bill Marler, J.D., a famous lawyer specializing in foodborne illnesses.
• Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., founder of Food Safety Strategy and former Chief Food Safety Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association.

On February 13, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). One of his priorities is improving food safety, especially for children. Soon after taking office, he signed an executive order that called for a review of children’s exposure to certain food additives.

Following this order, the FDA faced significant layoffs, including those at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Jones expressed in his resignation letter that losing knowledgeable staff, especially those skilled in nutrition and food safety, would undermine the agency’s ability to safeguard public health. His departure marked a significant shift in the direction of the FDA under the new administration.

Jones’s resignation was first reported by Helena Bottmiller Evich in Food Fix. Additional details from his resignation letter were shared by Bloomberg, highlighting the challenges the FDA faces during this critical time.