Ioana Dorhoi, PhD – Government Relations and Public Affairs

by Ioana Monica Dorhoi, PhD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been rocked by the resignation of its top food safety official, Jim Jones, who stepped down on Monday, citing sweeping staff reductions that he said would hinder the agency’s ability to protect public health. Jones, who spearheaded efforts to ban Red No. 3 food dye earlier this year, criticized the new administration’s approach, stating that it would be “fruitless” for him to continue in his role.

In his resignation letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Jones expressed concern over the mass layoffs that have affected 89 staff members in the FDA’s food division, describing them as “indiscriminate” and warning of their impact on food safety and public health initiatives. The cuts included experts in nutrition, infant formula regulation, and food safety response, as well as ten staffers responsible for reviewing potentially harmful ingredients in food products.

The White House defended the job cuts, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that some FDA employees were resistant to the administration’s new direction. “President Trump is only interested in the best and most qualified people who are also willing to implement his America First Agenda,” she said in an email.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in last Thursday, but the FDA remains without a confirmed commissioner. Industry experts have voiced concerns about the abrupt personnel changes, arguing that they could delay regulatory actions on food safety and chemical additives. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, called the layoffs “disjointed and disruptive,” particularly given the FDA’s anticipated focus on chemicals in food.

Jones, who had been a strong advocate for stricter food safety regulations, played a key role in banning Red No. 3, a food dye linked to health concerns. His departure signals uncertainty over the future of food safety policies under the Trump administration. “There is no one on earth who can replace the chemical safety expertise that Jim brought to this job,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group.

The FDA has not yet commented on Jones’s resignation or the agency’s next steps following the staff reductions. However, public health advocates warn that the loss of experienced regulators could have long-term consequences for food safety oversight in the U.S.