Trump Admin Cuts FDA Staff in Food Safety, Medical Devices & Tobacco/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration’s federal job cuts have reached the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), leading to the termination of probationary employees in food safety, medical devices, and tobacco regulation. The layoffs, part of a broader effort to reduce the size of federal agencies, come amid ongoing concerns over staff shortages and regulatory oversight.
FDA Job Cuts: Quick Look
- Who Was Fired? Newly hired employees in food safety, medical devices, and tobacco product oversight.
- Timing of Firings: Notices sent late Saturday evening.
- Scope of Layoffs: Exact number unknown, but part of an expected 5,200 job cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Impact on Drug Oversight: Unclear whether FDA drug reviewers were affected.
- Regulatory Concerns: FDA already struggling with inspections backlog and staff retention.
- Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Role: The new HHS Secretary has criticized the FDA’s regulatory stance and pushed for alternative medicine approvals.
Trump Admin Cuts FDA Staff in Food Safety, Medical Devices & Tobacco
Deep Look: FDA Layoffs Under Trump’s Workforce Reductions
The Trump administration’s aggressive push to reduce the federal workforce has now impacted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as probationary employees received termination notices Saturday evening.
The cuts primarily targeted employees responsible for food ingredient safety, medical device approvals, and tobacco product regulation, according to multiple FDA staffers who spoke anonymously.
The total number of layoffs at the FDA remains unclear, but the broader Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to cut 5,200 positions across its agencies—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
FDA Job Cuts Raise Safety & Oversight Concerns
The FDA employs nearly 20,000 people and plays a critical role in protecting public health by overseeing:
- Food safety and additives
- Medical devices and drug approvals
- Tobacco product regulations
A former FDA official warned that these cuts could backfire, as many probationary employees bring new technical expertise that helps modernize regulatory efforts.
“You want to bring in new blood,” said Peter Pitts, a former FDA associate commissioner. “You want people with new ideas, greater enthusiasm, and the latest thinking in terms of technology.”
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Role in FDA Downsizing
The layoffs come as HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. takes an aggressive stance against FDA policies.
Kennedy has criticized the agency for blocking alternative medicine treatments—including psychedelics, stem cells, and chelation therapy—and has called for banning thousands of food additives and colorings used in the U.S. but restricted in Europe.
The FDA layoffs include staff responsible for evaluating food additives, raising concerns that regulatory decisions on food safety could be delayed or weakened.
Impact on Drug Inspections and Safety Reviews
The FDA’s inspection workforce has already been under strain since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a backlog of 2,000 uninspected drug facilities.
The agency has also been criticized for failing to act quickly on recent safety concerns, including:
- Infant formula contamination issues
- Toxic metals found in baby food
- Eyedrop recalls due to bacterial contamination
It is unclear whether FDA inspectors were included in the firings, but any reductions could further weaken oversight at a time when the agency struggles to keep up with safety inspections.
Criticism of the FDA Layoffs
Mitch Zeller, former FDA Director for Tobacco, said the firings could demoralize and undermine the agency’s workforce.
“The combined effect of what they’re trying to do is going to destroy the ability to recruit and retain talent,” Zeller said.
Others warn that the layoffs could exacerbate existing problems, as the FDA has historically faced hiring challenges due to lower government salaries compared to private industry.
What’s Next?
- More layoffs expected across HHS agencies, including the CDC and NIH.
- Potential delays in FDA safety reviews due to staff reductions.
- Legal challenges possible, as unions may push back against mass firings.
While the Trump administration remains committed to reducing the federal workforce, the long-term impact on public health and consumer safety remains a growing concern.
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