Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing the selection of James “Jim” Jones to serve as the first Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. The new executive position will lead the charge in setting and advancing priorities for a proposed unified Human Foods Program (HFP). Program areas would include food safety, chemical safety and innovative food products, including those from new agricultural technologies, that will bolster the resilience of the U.S. food supply in the face of climate change and globalization, as well as nutrition to help reduce diet-related diseases and improve health equity. Jones is scheduled to begin at the FDA on Sept. 24.
“Jim is among the most public-spirited and able government leaders I know. I cannot think of a better choice for this crucial role.
In his 20 years in leadership positions at EPA, Jim demonstrated know-how to lead complex, science-based regulatory programs in a visionary and inclusive way.
Jim knows food safety and the food system from his leadership of EPA’s pesticide program, and he knows the food safety and nutrition challenges FDA faces through his service on the Reagan-Udall Foundation Expert Panel.”
“Mr. Jones played a critical role serving on the Reagan-Udall Foundation expert panel diving into the systemic structural and cultural issues that have plagued the FDA for years.
He has a history of working collaboratively with stakeholders which lends a healthy dose of optimism to moving significant consumer safety issues forward, including food recall modernization and reprioritizing the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Food safety is essential for public health, it’s more than time to elevate its value to protect all citizens.”
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