Public health at risk? FDA suspends key safety checks after layoffs
- Replies 2
Something is quietly shifting in how one of America’s most trusted staples is monitored—and few outside government circles even noticed. A long-running safety program tied to an everyday household item has been paused, raising questions about oversight, priorities, and public trust.
For members of the GrayVine community, many of whom grew up hearing that this item “does a body good,” the implications may be more than just symbolic.
If the systems meant to guarantee purity and safety are quietly scaled back, what does that mean for the things we consume without a second thought?
In an unexpected turn of events that could leave many Americans questioning the safety of their daily glass of milk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the suspension of a critical quality-control program that tests fluid milk and other dairy products.
This decision, revealed through an internal email obtained by Reuters, is a direct consequence of staffing reductions within the agency's food safety and nutrition division.
The Backstory: Trimming the Federal Workforce
The root of this disruption traces back to the Trump administration's broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
As part of this effort, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which encompasses the FDA, saw the termination and departure of a staggering 20,000 employees. This massive reduction in staff has inevitably led to a ripple effect, impacting various programs, including those that safeguard our nation's food supply.
The FDA also suspended existing and developing programs that provided accurate testing for bird flu in milk and cheese as well as pathogens like the parasite Cyclospora in other food products.
The Proficiency Testing Program: A Pillar of Milk Safety
At the heart of the controversy is the suspension of the FDA's proficiency testing program for grade “A” raw milk and finished products, effective since Monday.
For those unfamiliar with the term, grade “A” milk represents the cream of the crop in terms of sanitary standards. It's the milk that's been held to the highest level of scrutiny, ensuring that it's safe and clean for consumption.
The proficiency testing program is a critical component of our food safety infrastructure, designed to ensure consistency and accuracy across the nation's network of food safety laboratories.
Also read: Alarming discovery: Rare bird flu strain strikes dairy cows—what’s happening?
These labs rely on the program's quality-control tests to maintain their accreditation and, by extension, the public's trust.
The Moffett Center Proficiency Testing Laboratory, a key player in this process, has been cited as “no longer able to provide laboratory support for proficiency testing and data analysis.”
Source: Dr. Zachary Rubin / Youtube.
An HHS spokesperson has stated that the laboratory was already set to be decommissioned before the staff cuts and that while proficiency testing will be on pause, dairy product testing will continue during the transition to a new laboratory.
The Trump administration has also proposed a whopping $40 billion cut from the FDA's budget. Such a drastic reduction could further strain the agency's ability to perform its duties, including those related to food safety.
Moving Forward: Seeking Solutions
In the face of these challenges, the FDA has expressed a commitment to evaluating alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year.
“The FDA is actively evaluating alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year and will keep all participating laboratories informed as new information becomes available,” the email stated.
The agency has promised to keep all participating laboratories informed as new information becomes available.
In earlier news: Is your raw milk safe? Shocking bird flu revelation hits California!
Have you been affected by changes in food safety programs? Do you have tips for ensuring the quality of the dairy products you consume? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
For members of the GrayVine community, many of whom grew up hearing that this item “does a body good,” the implications may be more than just symbolic.
If the systems meant to guarantee purity and safety are quietly scaled back, what does that mean for the things we consume without a second thought?
In an unexpected turn of events that could leave many Americans questioning the safety of their daily glass of milk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the suspension of a critical quality-control program that tests fluid milk and other dairy products.
This decision, revealed through an internal email obtained by Reuters, is a direct consequence of staffing reductions within the agency's food safety and nutrition division.
The Backstory: Trimming the Federal Workforce
The root of this disruption traces back to the Trump administration's broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
As part of this effort, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which encompasses the FDA, saw the termination and departure of a staggering 20,000 employees. This massive reduction in staff has inevitably led to a ripple effect, impacting various programs, including those that safeguard our nation's food supply.
The FDA has suspended a dairy product quality-control program due to workforce reductions. Image source: Aleksey Melkomukov / Unsplash.
The FDA also suspended existing and developing programs that provided accurate testing for bird flu in milk and cheese as well as pathogens like the parasite Cyclospora in other food products.
The Proficiency Testing Program: A Pillar of Milk Safety
At the heart of the controversy is the suspension of the FDA's proficiency testing program for grade “A” raw milk and finished products, effective since Monday.
For those unfamiliar with the term, grade “A” milk represents the cream of the crop in terms of sanitary standards. It's the milk that's been held to the highest level of scrutiny, ensuring that it's safe and clean for consumption.
The proficiency testing program is a critical component of our food safety infrastructure, designed to ensure consistency and accuracy across the nation's network of food safety laboratories.
Also read: Alarming discovery: Rare bird flu strain strikes dairy cows—what’s happening?
These labs rely on the program's quality-control tests to maintain their accreditation and, by extension, the public's trust.
The Moffett Center Proficiency Testing Laboratory, a key player in this process, has been cited as “no longer able to provide laboratory support for proficiency testing and data analysis.”
Source: Dr. Zachary Rubin / Youtube.
An HHS spokesperson has stated that the laboratory was already set to be decommissioned before the staff cuts and that while proficiency testing will be on pause, dairy product testing will continue during the transition to a new laboratory.
The Trump administration has also proposed a whopping $40 billion cut from the FDA's budget. Such a drastic reduction could further strain the agency's ability to perform its duties, including those related to food safety.
Moving Forward: Seeking Solutions
In the face of these challenges, the FDA has expressed a commitment to evaluating alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year.
“The FDA is actively evaluating alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year and will keep all participating laboratories informed as new information becomes available,” the email stated.
The agency has promised to keep all participating laboratories informed as new information becomes available.
In earlier news: Is your raw milk safe? Shocking bird flu revelation hits California!
Have you been affected by changes in food safety programs? Do you have tips for ensuring the quality of the dairy products you consume? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Last edited:
