Jim Jones, a key figure in strengthening federal food chemical oversight at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has submitted his resignation as Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. The move comes after 89 “indiscriminate” layoffs within the agency’s Human Foods Program, which include employees with highly technical expertise in nutrition, infant formula, and food safety response.
Jones cited these mass firings as a major reason for his departure, stating that they would make it “fruitless” for him to continue in his role. The layoffs include ten staffers responsible for reviewing potentially unsafe ingredients in food, a critical function in addressing the public’s demand for improved food ingredient safety reviews.
The departures are part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to slash the workforce at federal agencies, which has raised concerns about the impact on food safety and the agenda of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Jones had previously expressed skepticism about implementing an enhanced process for post-market safety reviews due to budget constraints.
Industry experts and advocacy groups have praised Jones’ dedication to food chemical safety and his leadership in reorganizing the Human Foods Program at FDA. His resignation has been met with concerns from major public health, food industry, and consumer protection groups, which fear that the layoffs could jeopardize these critical functions and RFK Jr.’s MAHA agenda.
Source: https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10138-fda-leader-jim-jones-resigns-after-89-indiscriminate-firings-in-human-foods-program