Jim Jones, the director of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) food division, has resigned due to the Trump administration’s “indiscriminate” layoffs that left his team without critical personnel. Jones estimated that 89 out of 2,000 staff members were fired over the weekend, many of whom had recently joined to work on chemical safety.
Jones, who was a reformer at the FDA, cited Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s criticism of the agency as a major factor in his resignation. The new health secretary vowed to gut the division, which regulates additives like artificial colorings and dyes, investigates foodborne illnesses, and funds inspections of food facilities.
The layoffs have left the agency without key staff members who were among about 700 people fired from the FDA over the weekend. Those laid off included workers with specialized skills in infant formula safety and response. Jones described them as having “fresh education and experience” in food safety work that would represent the future of the agency.
Jones’ departure marks a significant blow to federal food safety efforts, which have lagged behind state action in recent months. California has been at the forefront of key food-safety changes, including disclosure of heavy metal levels in infant foods and a ban on certain additives. The FDA followed with similar measures just weeks ago.
The resignation highlights concerns about the Trump administration’s priorities for the FDA, particularly under new Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/us/politics/fda-food-safety-jim-jones-resignation.html