Donald Trump Jr.’s hunting practices have sparked controversy. He was photographed in Africa holding the tail of a dead elephant, which he reportedly cut off. Recently, news broke that Italian authorities are investigating him for allegedly hunting a protected duck species, the ruddy shelduck.
Trump Jr. has a friend, Diamantas, who is now involved with the FDA’s Human Foods Program, which manages a $1 billion budget. The FDA stated that Diamantas has experience working with various agencies and industry groups, but it’s unclear how his skills align with the program’s goals.
In a response to inquiries, Trump Jr.’s spokesman, Arthur Schwartz, expressed frustration, questioning whether it was reasonable to ask about a transition team member’s involvement. He also emphasized that Trump Jr. follows all hunting regulations and intends to cooperate with the Italian investigation.
Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new health secretary, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the influence of the “Big Food” industry on American health. He aims to change what Americans eat, targeting chemical additives, processed foods in schools, and sugary drinks in food assistance programs.
Kennedy also wants to reform the FDA, pushing out regulators he believes are too aligned with industry interests. This is notable since Diamantas has previously represented food and beverage clients, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The FDA’s Human Foods Program, which oversees food safety and nutrition, is critical to Kennedy’s mission of health reform. Recently, this division banned the food dye Red No. 3, a decision that aligns with Kennedy’s goal to “Make America Healthy Again.”
However, changes are underway. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency recently cut about 89 positions from the division, including James Jones, the deputy commissioner who had a long career with the EPA before joining the FDA. Jones criticized the mass layoffs, calling them a setback for the health secretary’s objectives. He expressed concerns about losing valuable staff with expertise in nutrition and food safety.
Susan Mayne, a former FDA director, echoed these concerns, particularly about cuts to the infant formula team. She warned that the reduction in staff could lead to serious food safety issues, especially for vulnerable populations like infants.
The importance of food safety is highlighted by a recent FDA recall of frozen nutritional shakes linked to an outbreak of listeria, which resulted in multiple deaths and hospitalizations. This reinforces the urgency of maintaining a strong and knowledgeable team focused on food safety.
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