EPA’s James “Jim” Jones was appointed Wednesday as the first FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Food.
In an expanded role, he will remain at the FDA following the February resignation of Frank Yianus, then deputy commissioner of the Office of Food Policy, and the May retirement of Susan Mayne, who was head of the Food Safety and Safety Administration. fills in the blanks. Applied Nutrition.
In 2022, a rift between Yianas and Maine was reported, which was so severe that there was debate about how the outbreak of the food problem should be investigated. FDA Commissioner Robert Calif, who took office in February 2022, had little choice but to work on a restructuring plan.
Jones is scheduled to start working at the FDA on Sept. 24.
Consumer Reports, which has spent the past year working with consumer groups, food industry representatives, and state and local regulators to push for FDA reform, said it supports Jones’ appointment.
New leadership positions at the Food and Drug Administration will lead the priority setting and promotion of the proposed Integrated Human Food Program (HFP). Program areas include food safety, chemical safety, and innovative foods, including through new agricultural techniques aimed at strengthening the resilience of the U.S. food supply.
a A report published by the Reagan Udall Foundation concluded in 2022 that the FDA’s culture, organizational structure, and governance model are undermining its effectiveness.
“Jim Jones is the perfect person to lead the FDA’s critical food safety mission,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “He brings his experience in leadership and working on the Reagan Udall Foundation report to transform the culture of the FDA Human Food Program into one that is transparent, accountable, and focused on prevention. We look forward to working with him to implement processes that involve meaningful stakeholder engagement so that the FDA can better protect the public. I am doing it.”
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), Consumer Brands Association and Western Growers are among the other groups to welcome Jones’ appointment.
Over the past 30 years, Jones has held various EPA positions involving the stakeholder community and private industry, managed teams, and provided strategic planning and support on issues related to chemical safety and environmental sustainability. Demonstrated thought leadership.
Jones has experience mitigating the impact of chemicals and pollution on the US food supply. He was the lead author of the EPA’s overhaul of his 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act, his first update of the law in over 40 years.
In 2022, the Caliph ordered an external review of the Food Safety Authority following widespread criticism of its handling of the infant formula crisis. This report examined a number of FDA concerns raised by Consumer Reports and a diverse coalition of consumer groups, industry leaders, and local regulators.
“We are delighted to welcome Jim to the FDA. His successful career, extensive leadership experience, and passionate vision for the future of the Human Foods Program make him an ideal choice for this vital position. It has become,” said Mr. Caliph.
“The reorganization we are proposing is the most significant undertaking of its kind for the agency in recent history. I believe we can build a more significant organization focused on keeping regulated food safe and nutritious while staying on the cutting edge of the latest advances in food science and nutrition. We look forward to having him join us next month to work with us,” the FDA Commissioner added.
At the EPA, Jones was responsible for decision making regarding the regulation of pesticides and commercial chemicals. He has also led several national sustainability programs, including the EPA’s Environmental Preferred Purchasing Program and the President Green He Chemistry Award Challenge.
As Deputy Commissioner for Human Food, Mr. Jones will report directly to the FDA Commissioner. He will exercise decision-making authority over all HFP entities, including related Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) activities, when the restructuring becomes effective. He will provide executive leadership for the overall program and resource allocation, risk priority strategy, policy, and critical response activities involving human food. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Management and the Office of Food Policy and Response will report to Jones until the proposed HFP restructuring is implemented.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as FDA’s first Deputy Commissioner for Human Food. It was an honor to do it, and now I look forward to helping the FDA realize its vision of a proposed human food program: health for our nation,” Jones said. “As a former pesticide regulator, I have a deep understanding of the unique needs of government programs involved in maintaining the security of the U.S. food supply and the critical role that the agricultural industry and state partners play in this paradigm. I am honored to serve the FDA and the country in my new capacity.”
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here. )
