The Trump administration’s elimination of FDA staff roles this weekend has ignited fears about weakened oversight across critical sectors, including food additives, vaping products, and medical device safety. Dozens of probationary employees in the agency’s food, tobacco, and medical device divisions received termination notices amid broader Health and Human Services (HHS) layoffs targeting 5,200 federal workers.
Three anonymous FDA sources confirmed the cuts disproportionately impact teams evaluating product safety, though exact numbers remain unclear. The move follows HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s repeated critiques of the agency’s regulatory pace, despite no evidence supporting his claims of a “war on public health.”
“Cutting new hires eliminates younger talent with cutting-edge technical skills,” warned Peter Pitts, former FDA associate commissioner. “This strategically weakens the agency’s ability to protect consumers.”
Key concerns surrounding the FDA staff reductions include:
- Delayed approval of new food additives and colorings
- Slower medical device innovation reviews
- Reduced capacity to monitor e-cigarettes and tobacco products
The FDA’s $6.9 billion budget relies heavily on industry fees, meaning eliminated positions won’t reduce federal spending but could slow vital approvals. A 2022 Government Accountability Office report highlights the agency’s existing challenges recruiting specialists who earn higher private-sector salaries.
Former FDA tobacco director Mitch Zeller criticized the layoffs as a “demoralizing blow” to federal workers. The cuts also strain an already overburdened inspection force responsible for 2,000 backlogged drug facilities and recent safety failures involving infant formula and contaminated eyedrops.
With 20% of current inspectors hired post-COVID, these terminations risk exacerbating delays in global facility audits. As regulatory timelines lengthen, experts predict ripple effects on food and drug innovation – potentially costing companies billions in stalled product launches.
