Trump administration cuts jobs at FDA affecting food safety and medical device employees

The Trump administration has cut jobs at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), affecting recently hired employees in food safety, medical devices, and tobacco products. Notices were sent to probationary employees over the weekend, but the total number of layoffs is unclear. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to eliminate 5,200 probationary positions across its agencies, including the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Sunday, about 700 employees had received layoff notices. The cuts come amid ongoing challenges for the FDA, which has struggled to recruit and retain staff. The agency's inspection force has faced strain, with a backlog of uninspected facilities and criticism over its response to recent safety issues.