Jim Jones, who led the food division at the FDA, has resigned amid significant federal job cuts initiated by the Trump administration.

His resignation comes in the wake of thousands of federal layoffs, including 89 employees from the FDA's food division, although the agency has not commented on his departure.

Jones expressed concerns that these cuts threaten the health agenda of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly in areas of nutrition and food chemical safety.

The layoffs targeted specialists in critical areas such as nutrition and food safety, including staff responsible for assessing unsafe food ingredients.

Scott Faber from the Environmental Working Group noted that Jones' resignation could hinder efforts to improve food safety, given his expertise in chemical safety.

Having joined the FDA in September 2023 after a lengthy career at the EPA, Jones aimed to tackle diet-related chronic diseases and food chemical risks.

As of now, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not announced a replacement for Jones.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the staff changes, asserting that the administration seeks to replace employees resistant to its agenda.

In his resignation letter, Jones stated that the administration's cuts rendered it ineffective for him to continue in his role, citing a lack of support for necessary food safety reforms.

Recent FDA actions included a ban on the food dye Red No. 3, linked to cancer in male lab rats, highlighting the agency's ongoing regulatory challenges.

Jones described the impact of these cuts on the FDA's ability to address key public health issues as 'decimated', undermining essential initiatives.

During his short tenure, Jones oversaw significant initiatives, including a ban on the artificial dye Red No. 3 and investigations into lead contamination in applesauce.