This week’s Wednesday Weigh-In asked: “What do you think of proposed FDA staffing cuts?” With over 350 responses, readers expressed deep concerns, sharp divisions, and strong calls to action regarding the FDA’s future.

Here’s how you weighed in:

🔬 “Yes—losing experts will weaken outbreak prevention” – 64%
⚖️ “Some cuts may be necessary, but this goes too far” – 17%
🏛 “No—the FDA is bloated and needs reform” – 14%
🗣️ “Other” comments – 5%

The stakes feel higher than ever, and your feedback shows it.

Experts are essential

A strong majority—64%—warned that slashing FDA staff threatens food safety. “It takes years to develop expertise and partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies. Outbreaks will be missed, investigations incomplete, and people will die,” wrote one reader. Another, living with cancer, shared a personal stake: “What I eat, if contaminated, could end my life. I’ve been to the ER four times for violent vomiting since food safety weakened.”

Readers pointed to real-world risks, citing the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak and the surge in food recalls. Many blamed leadership, with one stating bluntly, “Kennedy doesn’t know Listeria from E. coli. His ego could kill people.”

Cuts with caution

Seventeen percent saw room for trimming but felt the current plan overreaches. “Drastic cuts are non-thinking. Ask department heads to reduce staff by a percentage instead,” suggested one reader. Another argued, “FDA doesn’t prevent outbreaks—they react. CEOs need to prioritize safety, but cuts shouldn’t gut oversight.” A USDA employee emphasized, “Investigators need to move fast—not get stuck in red tape.”

This group wants efficiency, not a free-for-all. “Process and potential efficiencies need assessing before layoffs,” one cautioned.

Reform over reduction

Fourteen percent cheered cuts, calling the FDA bloated. “If we don’t curb unnecessary spending, there’ll be no America—it’s that simple,” one reader insisted. Another said, “The FDA only announces outbreaks after deaths occur. Reform with fresh, well-trained staff is overdue.” Some backed RFK Jr.’s shake-up: “Give Kennedy a chance—it won’t change overnight.”

Yet even here, frustration surfaced. “Stop fearmongering!” one snapped at critics, while another questioned tenure: “Tenure doesn’t equal expertise.”

Other voices

The 5% who chose “Other” offered nuanced takes. One reader blamed imports: “We depend on other countries who keep the best and send us the worst—inspection ports need work.” Another saw a conspiracy: “RFK Jr.’s plan weakens our global food safety lead. Why?” A third lamented, “Trump and Musk’s snowball is growing—disease doesn’t yield to money.”

What’s at stake?

With 226 votes for “Yes,” 59 for “Some cuts,” 51 for “No,” and 16 “Other” responses, the message is clear: the path forward for food safety is deeply divided. Many fear that a weakened FDA could lead to more outbreaks, weaker oversight, and greater risks for vulnerable populations—toddlers, seniors, and the immunocompromised. Others, however, see an opportunity to reform an agency they view as slow and inefficient.

President Donald Trump and Health Secretary RFK Jr. have pushed cuts to streamline the FDA, but as one reader put it, “Without solutions in place first, it’s stupid, risky, and a bigger waste than what we’re losing.”

Where do you stand?

We welcome your thoughts and discussion, but please keep it respectful. Personal attacks, hateful language, or inappropriate comments will be removed. Additionally, please do not post advertisements or promotional content.

Keep an eye out for next Wednesday’s Weigh-In.

Until then, stay safe and stay informed with FSN Daily!

All the best,

Jonan Pilet, Newsletter Editor

Weekend Poll

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