The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended a quality-control program for testing milk due to reduced capacity in its food safety division, according to an internal email. This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, which led to the termination of 20,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The FDA had previously suspended programs for bird flu testing in milk and cheese, as well as testing for pathogens like Cyclospora. The latest suspension affects grade “A” raw milk and finished products, which meet the highest sanitary standards.
The agency cited a lack of laboratory support due to staff cuts at its Moffett Center Proficiency Testing Laboratory. However, an HHS spokesperson claimed that dairy product testing would continue during the transition to a new laboratory.
The FDA’s proficiency testing programs ensure consistency and accuracy across food safety laboratories, which rely on these tests for accreditation. The agency will evaluate alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year and inform participating laboratories of any changes.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/22/fda-milk-quality-testing-suspended