On November 13, 2023, the Alliance for a Stronger FDA hosted a webinar with James "Jim" Jones, the recently appointed Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), during which he discussed his priorities, plans, and approach to change at the agency. The first to fill this newly created role, Mr. Jones is charged with forging and leading FDA’s proposed unified Human Foods Program (HFP).
As the new Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Jones holds decision-making authority over all HFP entities, including resource allocation, risk prioritization, policy, major response activities involving human foods, and related Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) activities. He will set and advance HFP priorities across food safety and chemical safety as they relate to food and nutrition.