The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially paused a key safety program that checks the quality of milk and dairy products across the country.
This decision comes after thousands of employees were let go from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the FDA.
In an internal email obtained by Reuters, the FDA said it has stopped its proficiency testing program for Grade "A" raw milk and other finished dairy goods. This program helps labs test milk properly and make sure it meets safety standards.
The shutdown started Monday, April 21, and was confirmed by the agency's Division of Dairy Safety.
"The FDA's Moffett Center Proficiency Testing Laboratory is no longer able to provide laboratory support for proficiency testing and data analysis," the email stated.
Grade "A" milk is known for meeting the highest cleanliness and health rules in the US.
This pause is the latest in a series of food safety disruptions tied to President Donald Trump's recent push to downsize the federal government. About 20,000 workers from HHS— including many from the FDA— have been laid off.
Other programs, such as those tracking bird flu in dairy products and dangerous parasites like Cyclospora in foods, have also been affected.
BREAKING: The FDA just suspended its milk safety testing program due to staffing cuts—leaving raw milk without oversight.
— Physicians Committee (@PCRM) April 22, 2025
Ditch dairy. Choose plant-based milks—they’re safer and better for your health. https://t.co/YSomPvpDcm pic.twitter.com/KOdAsJQfJp
FDA Seeks Alternatives as Key Milk Lab Closes
A spokesperson from HHS said the Moffett lab was already scheduled to close, and that the pause is only temporary while the program moves to a new location.
"In the meantime, state and federal labs continue to analyze food samples, and FDA remains committed to working with states to protect the safety of the pasteurized milk supply," the spokesperson told USA Today.
The FDA's testing programs are important because they make sure labs all over the country are testing food the same way. These tests also help labs stay accredited, or officially approved.
While the agency did not directly link the staff cuts to the testing pause, many of those laid off were involved in responding to bird flu outbreaks and keeping food safe, according to former employees and experts.
Despite the sudden stop, the FDA says it's looking for other ways to keep milk testing going. "The FDA is actively evaluating alternative approaches for the upcoming fiscal year and will keep all participating laboratories informed," the agency stated in the internal communication.
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