FDA Halts Milk Quality Testing Due to Staffing Cuts

Quality Testing Program Suspension

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended a key quality control program aimed at testing liquid milk and other dairy products. This decision arises from a reduced capacity within its food safety and nutrition division, as revealed in an internal email obtained by Reuters.

Impact of Federal Staffing Cuts

This measure is part of a broader interruption of national food safety programs after the layoff and departure of 20,000 employees from the Department of Health and Human Services, which incorporates the FDA. These developments are part of former President Donald Trump's initiative to scale down the federal workforce.

Consequences for Public Health

This month, the FDA also halted existing and developmental programs that ensured the accuracy of avian flu detection tests in milk and cheese and pathogen testing like Cyclospora in other food items. Starting Monday, the FDA suspended its proficiency testing program for raw and finished Grade "A" dairy products, according to the email addressed to network laboratories.

Consumer Safety Concerns

Grade "A" milk, or liquid milk, adheres to high sanitary standards. The FDA's proficiency testing programs are crucial for maintaining consistency and accuracy across the national food safety laboratory network, which also relies on these quality control tests to comply with accreditation standards.

Future Directions

The Health and Human Services department has not responded immediately to requests for comments. The Trump administration had proposed a $40 billion budget cut from the agency. The email further states, "The FDA is actively evaluating alternative approaches for the next fiscal year and will keep all participating laboratories informed as new information becomes available."