A month after starting work as the FDA’s first deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones on Thursday listed three areas for attention to promote the health and wellness of Americans: preventing foodborne illness, decreasing diet-related chronic disease through improved nutrition, and protecting the food supply through the safe use of chemicals and dietary supplements.
“Helping people live healthier lives through they food they eat remains the cornerstone of our vision for the new HFP [Human Foods Program],” said Jones in a statement. FDA commissioner Robert Califf appointed Jones to be deputy commissioner as part of a reorganization intended to put more emphasis on food safety. The agency has jurisdiction over 78 percent of the U.S. food supply, including fruits, vegetables, and most prepared foods.
Jones’ list signals a major boost in the FDA’s attention to food chemicals, said Helena Evich of the Food Fix newsletter. “Jones’ background at EPA working on pesticides, etc. is also very relevant here,” said Evich on social media.
“I bring a wealth of experience and background in chemical safety,” said Jones. “I’m confident we can move the needle forward in preventing people’s exposure to contaminants or other harmful chemicals through foods to the greatest extent possible.”