Sources familiar with the issue said Jim Jones, head of the Food and Drug Administration’s food division, has stepped down. The department is tasked with ensuring that the country’s food supply is safe and overseeing inspections and recalls.
Jones’ resignation comes after the Trump administration cut thousands of federal workers, including those who worked for the FDA last week. The sources did not provide any reason for Jones’ resignation.
His resignation was previously reported by Bloomberg News.
Jones, who confirmed his resignation in an interview with Statistics News later Tuesday, said the 89 fires in the food division effectively dismantled the group.
“I don’t know if they don’t understand how things can be accomplished or if it’s really not serious about what they want to do,” he told Statistics. “I don’t know. But I didn’t want to spend the next six months of my career in basic activities related to dismantling an organization rather than working on the designated agenda.”
It is unclear whether Jones has immediately replaced Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sworn Thursday. According to a second source, Kennedy met with HHS staff on Tuesday morning as part of the welcoming ceremony.
Jones stepped in to lead the FDA’s food division in 2023 30 years later at the Environmental Protection Agency.
He recently investigated the FDA of the Biden administration ban on Red No. 3 dye in January and the aftermath of dozens of lead poisoning cases in children and the milk powder shortage in young children in late 2023. I directed it.
Congress has not yet confirmed the new FDA chief. President Donald Trump chose Dr. Marty McCurry, a pancreatic surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, to lead the agency.
When asked about Jones’ resignation Tuesday morning, White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that he said “many bureaucrats resist the democratic process and mandate carried out by the American people.” He said.
“President Trump is only interested in the best and most qualified people who are willing to implement America’s first agenda on behalf of Americans,” Leavitt said. “It’s not for everyone, and it’s fine.”
The FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Agency documents show that agents regulate about 77% of US food supplies.
The USDA oversees meat and several egg products, and the two agencies are helping out major recalls, including last year’s boar head deli meat and an outbreak related to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
In an email statement, Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs for the advocacy group Environmental Working Group, said Jones’ departure would “retreat efforts to make food safer.” .
“No one can replace the chemical safety expertise that Jim has brought to this job,” Faber said.
Yamiche Arcindor contributed.
