Recent reports indicate that the FDA is suspending routine food safety inspections and making significant cuts to its workforce, raising alarm about the potential effects on public health and safety. Sources reveal that the agency is planning to replace laid-off staff with contractors, while simultaneously halting quality checks after staff reductions. This follows a series of layoffs that have left many key positions vacant, particularly in food safety and drug review areas. Experts warn that these cuts could lead to delays in drug approvals and increased risks in food safety, as oversight programs are scaled back. As the FDA undergoes chaotic restructuring amid these staff purges, former officials and industry leaders express deep concerns about the future of public health protections.