Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
WASHINGTON — In a recurring trend of the past few months, the Food and Drug Administration is recalling several staff members who were laid off, including those responsible for arranging travel for safety inspectors.
Recall of Travel Staff and Food Scientists
More than 20 of the agency’s approximately 60 travel coordinators will be reinstated, according to two FDA staffers informed of the policy this week, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive agency information.
Food safety specialists who examine samples for bacteria and investigate potentially hazardous chemicals have also been notified that they will regain their positions, although formal confirmation is still pending.
Uncertainty Surrounding FOIA Staff
Similarly, employees managing the release of agency records in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act are awaiting clarity about their reinstatement. Approximately 100 of these personnel were recently terminated, according to an official with direct knowledge of the situation.
The FDA has missed several court-ordered deadlines to provide necessary documents, potentially incurring substantial fines. This oversight has prompted plans to reinstate a significant portion of the terminated FOIA staff.
Erratic Approach to Workforce Reduction
The recent reversals highlight the disjointed strategy behind the agency’s workforce cuts, which have reduced the FDA’s staff by roughly 20%, or approximately 3,500 positions. The actual number of layoffs is further compounded by an undetermined count of retirements, voluntary separations, and resignations.
Details of Previous Layoffs and Rehires
In February, the FDA dismissed around 700 employees on temporary contracts, including those who reviewed food and medical devices, only to rehire many of them shortly after facing pushback from industry stakeholders and Congress.
The Department of Health and Human Services has not provided specific details about the positions or programs affected by the recent mass layoffs.
FDAs Food Scientists Recall
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has consistently asserted that no FDA scientists were laid off as part of the workforce reductions. However, at least two dozen food scientists working in San Francisco and Chicago were released in March.
An HHS spokesperson attributed the confusion to “a fragmented, antiquated HR infrastructure we inherited and are actively upgrading.” The spokesperson did not address specific queries about which employees are being rehired but indicated that the administration is working to “streamline operations and address the inherited shortcomings.”
Reinstatement of Scientists
Approximately 15 scientists within the FDA’s Division of Food Processing Science and Technology in Chicago were informed last week that they would be reinstated. However, as of this writing, no written confirmation has been issued and the scientists have not resumed work. Their research focuses on preventing bacterial growth on produce and mitigating the spread of microplastics and other contaminants from food packaging.
Susan Mayne of Yale University, former FDA food director, expressed hope that Commissioner Makary will swiftly review these reductions and reinstate affected employees to preserve his legacy as commissioner.
The Fda’s Core Responsibilities
With over 15,000 employees stationed across various U.S. and international offices, the FDA’s primary duties encompass reviewing new drugs, medical products, and food ingredients, along with inspecting thousands of production facilities.
Makary has affirmed that no inspectors or medical reviewers were let go during the latest workforce reduction. However, current and former FDA officials note that these frontline employees often rely on substantial administrative support.
The Role of Travel Coordinators
For instance, FDA inspectors have traditionally depended on travel coordinators to manage trips to countries like India, which involve visas, security protocols, ground transportation, technical support, translation services, and other logistical arrangements. Inspectors often dedicate up to half the year to travel, making staff recruitment and retention challenging.
Last month, inspectors were briefly required to book their own travel. The FDA established a help line to facilitate these arrangements before deciding to outsource the task to an external contractor.
On Monday, staffers were informed that roughly one-third of the dismissed personnel responsible for these duties would be reinstated.