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On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

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FDA Modernization Efforts for Establishing a Unified Human Foods Program, New Model for Field Operations and More

Implementation occurred on Oct. 1, 2024

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FDA Modernization Efforts for a Unified Human Foods Program, Redesigned Field Operations & More

The FDA is focused on transforming the agency to be more efficient, nimble and ready for the future with the ever-changing and complex industries we regulate, including the emergence of new food technologies, the impacts of globalization, climate change and other factors that require the FDA to quickly adapt to an evolving world.  

The unified Human Foods Program, a new model and name for field operations and other modernization efforts are now in effect. This was the single largest reorganization in the agency’s recent history, as it impacted more than 8,000 employees and touched almost every facet of the agency.  

In January 2023, the FDA announced it would develop a reorganization proposal to create a unified Human Foods Program and restructure its field operations (formerly the Office of Regulatory Affairs and now the Office of Inspections and Investigations or OII) after carefully reviewing the findings and recommendations of a Reagan-Udall Foundation evaluation, an internal review of the agency’s infant formula response, and feedback from external and internal stakeholders.  

The FDA completed its proposed reorganization package in December 2023. After undergoing a formal external review process required for all federal reorganizations, the FDA received approval of the reorganization package in May 2024 and implemented the reorganization on Oct. 1, 2024.  

The changes in the reorganization allow the agency to: 

  • More effectively realize the preventive vision laid out in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.  
  • Elevate the importance of nutrition to help reduce diet-related diseases. 
  • Strengthen state partnerships and embrace innovative food and agricultural technologies to position the agency to more effectively regulate and uphold safety of the nation’s food supply.  

The FDA restructured and renamed the field operations unit to focus on inspections, investigations and imports as its core mission. The reorganization of the Office of Inspections and Investigations or OII (previously known as the Office of Regulatory Affairs), extends beyond foods and has an impact on how the FDA oversees all FDA-regulated products. The agency has created an enterprise-wide structure to enhance collaboration between our field investigators and other subject matter experts throughout the agency.  

The reorganization also contained additional improvements to modernize and strengthen the entire agency to work more cohesively and collaboratively together to accomplish its public health mission.  

The FDA is committed to building a stronger, more integrated and modernized agency across all programs, including laboratories, food safety and nutrition, medical products, tobacco products and cosmetics.

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