The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a key agency in safeguarding public health, has recently made alarming changes to its food safety protocols. Reports from reputable news outlets, including Reuters and CBS News, indicate that the FDA has suspended quality control tests for a vital food safety program and is preparing to terminate nearly all routine food safety inspections. These changes come amid significant staffing cuts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure known for his conspiracy theories.

According to a report from Reuters, the FDA announced its decision to suspend quality control testing at the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) Proficiency Testing Program. This program plays a crucial role in testing for harmful parasites like Cyclospora in spinach and the widely-used pesticide glyphosate in barley, among other foods. The internal announcement, which was communicated to FDA staff on Tuesday, highlighted that the program, which manages testing across approximately 170 laboratories, would no longer receive quality control checks at least until September 30.

The suspension of these critical tests is a direct consequence of the ongoing staff reductions at HHS, which has seen about 20,000 employeesthrough layoffs and voluntary departuresleaving the agency. These cuts are part of broader efforts to streamline operations, though they raise serious concerns about public health and safety.

Adding to the troubling news, CBS News has reported that the FDA is also contemplating the end of most federal-level food safety inspections. This decision appears to be based on the notion that food safety oversight should be managed at the local level, positing that federal inspectors might merely replicate the work already performed by state-level inspectors. However, critics have raised questions about the legality and safety implications of such a shift.

While this plan is still in the proposal stage and has not yet been enacted, it is noteworthy that the FDA already outsources a portion of its routine inspections to state agencies. Should the FDA move to further decentralize its food safety inspections, there remains uncertainty about which inspections will continue to be federally overseen. Some former FDA employees have indicated that certain higher-risk inspections, such as those related to baby formula, would likely still be managed by federal authorities.

Another alarming development involves the FDA's handling of a recent E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, which reportedly sickened dozens of individuals across 15 states. According to NBC News, the FDA closed its investigation into this outbreak without informing the public. This outbreak was severe enough to result in dangerous health complications, including kidney failure in a 9-year-old boy in Indiana. However, the agency did not issue a public notification, asserting that the immediate threat had subsided.

The extent of knowledge that President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possess regarding the inner workings and current challenges at the FDA is unclear. In a recent interview, Kennedy appeared unaware of the specifics surrounding the cuts being implemented at the agency, despite over $11 billion in budget reductions. This raises troubling questions about the leadership and oversight of federal health agencies during a critical time for public safety.

As the FDA grapples with these significant changes, concerns grow about the safety of food and beverages in the United States. Critics warn that the current administration's approach could lead to more public health disasters as the agency continues to cut essential services. The recent adjustments to the CDCs tracking systems for drug-related injuries and car accidents further exacerbate fears about the potential for increasing risks to American consumers.

As of Thursday, the FDA had not responded to inquiries regarding these sweeping changes and their implications for public health. Gizmodo will continue to follow this story and update the public as more information becomes available.