FDA food safety official resigns, citing structural issues

The Federal Food and Drug Administration’s chief food safety official resigned Wednesday, citing concerns about the agency’s oversight structure and the infant formula crisis that has led to a nationwide shortage.

Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response since 2018, informed FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf in an email saying he will be leaving on February 24th.

He said he told Califf early last year that the structure of the food program “significantly impacted FDA’s ability to operate as an integrated food team and protect the public.”

But Yiannas said he postponed leaving last year after learning of problems at Abbott Laboratories’ Michigan infant formula plant, which was closed for months because of contamination. The plant has since reopened, and Abbott is facing a Justice Department investigative proceedings.

Yiannas said infant formula shipments have increased and the necessary oversight is in place, making it timely to leave the FDA.

“My great hope is that American consumers, particularly mothers and fathers of infants, will never again face this type of preventable situation,” Yiannas wrote. He called for an independent and thorough review of the crisis.

FDA spokeswoman Tara Rabin confirmed Yiannas’ resignation.

Yianas’ announcement comes less than a week before Califf is expected to post a response to a devastating report calls for an overhaul of the way the agency regulates human and animal food. Currently, not a single official has complete oversight of the FDA’s sprawling food operations.

Yiannas called for the appointment of a “fully empowered and experienced” deputy food commissioner with direct oversight of these matters. Advocacy groups and several former FDA officials have also called for such a position.

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