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NewsRegulatoryFDA

RFK Jr. Elevates Top FDA Human Foods Official to HHS Management Team

By Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team
US HHS website resized
Image credit: MarioGuti/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
February 17, 2026

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced several appointments to his immediate team managing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Specifically, Chris Klomp, the Director of Medicare and the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), will become Chief Counselor at HHS and oversee all operations of the Department.

Additionally, HHS has announced two new Senior Counselors for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Kyle Diamantas, the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at FDA, and Grace Graham, the Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs at FDA. Each of these individuals will continue to serve in their current roles in addition to serving in Secretary Kennedy’s office. 

A White House insider told Politico that the personnel shake-up is designed to advance work on “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda items like phasing out artificial food dyes and implementing dietary guidelines-related changes.

Two senior HHS officials, Deputy Secretary Jim O’Niell—who was also named Acting Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following the termination of Suzan Monarez, M.D.—and General Counsel Mike Stuart, are reportedly leaving their current roles as part of the leadership changes, per Politico.

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KEYWORDS: CDC HHS MAHA personnel

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The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Digital Editor ✉; Adrienne Blume, M.A., Editorial Director; and Stacy Atchison, Publisher.

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