In the U.S., food safety touches every household, every day. From the lettuce on our sandwiches to the oysters served in coastal restaurants, foodborne pathogens pose real and persistent risks. Yet, while expectations for inspections and investigations remain high, the workforce responsible for ensuring the safety of our food supply is shrinking—and federal support for training that workforce is slipping out of focus at exactly the wrong time.

Training for food safety regulators is not a luxury; it is foundational. These professionals conduct inspections of restaurants, the groceries we eat, food trucks, processors, and storage facilities. They enforce rules that keep our food clean, traceable, and properly labeled. They respond to outbreaks. They build trust in the food system, especially in underserved communities. To do all of this effectively, they must be trained in the latest science, technologies, and regulatory approaches.

The Strain on U.S. Food Safety Training Infrastructure

The nationwide food safety training infrastructure that supports these professionals is strained. In 2024, the budget of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Office of Training, Education, and Development (OTED) was slashed by 65 percent—a staggering cut to one of the central pillars of U.S. food safety education. These reductions threaten the ability to deliver critical training not just for federal staff, but also for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) regulators across the country.

In a December 2024 letter to FDA leadership, Senator Richard Blumenthal and several of his colleagues rightly called attention to the danger of these budget cuts, emphasizing that state and local agencies—who conduct the vast majority of food safety inspections—rely on FDA support to build and maintain their capabilities. Without these investments, the effectiveness of inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions is severely compromised.

The need for strong training has only grown more urgent as the public health workforce continues to contract. In some jurisdictions, food safety inspection staff have been reduced to a handful of individuals responsible for thousands of establishments. In others, retirements and turnover have outpaced the ability to hire and train new staff. This is particularly dire in rural areas, where funding is scarce and access to internet and high-quality training is limited.

To sustain a competent food safety workforce, we need a system that can train regulators at scale and on demand. This means continued investment in FDA's ability to provide resources for online and hybrid learning platforms, support for train-the-trainer programs, and funding to bring regulatory staff together for hands-on, scenario-based learning. We must also ensure that the training content itself is inclusive and scientifically sound—addressing emerging pathogens, new food technologies, and culturally specific practices that intersect with food safety.

Moreover, this is not just a regulatory workforce issue—it is a matter of fairness. Families in every ZIP code, regardless of income or background, deserve the assurance that their food is safe. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to foodborne illness. These individuals depend on strong food safety systems that begin with knowledgeable regulators. Undercutting training undermines that protection.

There is also a missed opportunity for economic resilience. Trained inspectors can help food businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—comply with regulations, avoid costly violations, and respond to recalls effectively. They ensure fair enforcement and promote consistency and safe food across regions. A well-trained workforce isn't just better for public health—it's better for the food industry, too.

The Importance of "Science in Action"

As the nation observes World Food Safety Day on June 7, with the theme "Science in Action," we must remember that science only works when those responsible for acting on it are equipped to do so. The data, the research, the guidance—all of it depends on people: inspectors, trainers, laboratory specialists, and frontline staff. Without sustained federal investment in their training, the system falters.

Congress and federal agencies must recommit to protecting the food supply by prioritizing training infrastructure. This includes restoring funds to OTED and safeguarding other mechanisms that support the education and preparedness of SLTT regulators. It includes transparency in funding decisions and ensuring that public health protections are not weakened by administrative or political disruption.

Food safety is a national concern—but it is often implemented locally, one inspection, one report, and one trained professional at a time. The investments we make now in the people doing this work will shape the integrity of our food system for years to come.

Let's choose to act.