1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern about the reported plans by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to significantly scale back routine food safety inspections, shifting critical oversight responsibilities to already overstretched state and local authorities. This development, reportedly stemming from massive staffing reductions at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), poses a serious threat to public health and food security across the country. Food safety is not optional. It is a fundamental public service that protects millions of Americans from preventable illness and potential outbreaks. The FDA’s role in overseeing food inspections is crucial for maintaining consistent national standards, preventing contamination, and responding swiftly to public health risks. Transferring these responsibilities to local agencies—many of which lack the resources, infrastructure, or manpower for such a task—would create dangerous gaps in oversight and potentially endanger lives. The loss of approximately 20,000 employees from HHS, and the resulting disruption to food safety programs, cannot be ignored. Instead of reducing federal responsibilities, now is the time to invest in rebuilding and strengthening our national public health infrastructure. The health and safety of our communities depend on a robust, well-resourced FDA with a clear mandate to protect the public. I urge you to oppose any measures that would reduce the FDA’s ability to conduct routine food safety inspections and to call for immediate congressional oversight and accountability regarding this decision. We must ensure that the FDA remains fully capable of fulfilling its essential mission to protect the health of the American people. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I trust that you will act in the best interest of your constituents and uphold the standards of public health and safety we all rely on.