The Trump administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce have now reached the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Over the weekend, probationary employees responsible for reviewing the safety of food ingredients, medical devices, and other products were terminated. The exact number of positions eliminated is unclear, but the focus seemed to be on employees in the FDA's centers for food, medical devices, and tobacco products.
There were expectations that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would dismiss 5,200 probationary employees across its agencies, including the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the CDC layoffs were expected to affect nearly 1,300 employees, only about 700 had received notices by Sunday afternoon.
The FDA, with nearly 20,000 employees, has been a target of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has criticized the agency for not approving certain treatments and called for the removal of various chemicals from U.S. foods. The recent cuts at the FDA include staff responsible for reviewing new food additives and ingredients.
It's important to note that nearly half of the FDA's budget comes from fees paid by regulated companies, which are used to hire additional scientists for product reviews. Eliminating these positions will not result in government spending reductions.
Experts have expressed concerns that cutting recent hires could have negative consequences, as these employees often bring new skills and ideas to the agency. The FDA's workforce tends to be older, and the agency has historically faced challenges in recruiting and retaining staff due to better private sector opportunities.
Former FDA officials have warned that the firings could undermine the agency's ability to recruit and retain talent, potentially impacting its inspection force. The FDA's inspection team, responsible for overseeing various facilities worldwide, has faced challenges, including a backlog of uninspected drug facilities and criticism for delays in addressing safety issues.
Overall, the recent workforce reductions at the FDA have raised concerns about the agency's ability to fulfill its critical public health and safety mission.
