Senators Push FDA on Infant‑formula Safety, Labs and 'Operation Stork Speed'

Senator Jon Rasa and others pressed Dr. McCary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, on whether recent personnel moves affected staff responsible for infant‑formula safety and food‑supply surveillance. "Is that correct?" Senator Rasa asked when Dr. McCary said the FDA would convene world experts on infant formula on June 4 under an initiative the agency calls Operation Stork Speed.

Why it matters: Senators noted that technical staff, specialized laboratory capacity and clear processes matter for preventing product safety problems and for keeping consumers informed. The committee recalled the 2022 infant‑formula shortage and asked whether the recent personnel changes left the agency vulnerable.

Most important facts: Dr. McCary said the agency will convene experts June 4 to examine infant formula composition, heavy-metal testing and supply-chain predictability and that the human foods division is central to that work. He said FDA has 12 food laboratories and, after a routine recalibration pause, had no backlogs in food‑lab testing as of his check the prior week. He also described the agency's prior approach to infant‑formula rules as rigid and said he wants more regulatory predictability to encourage safe innovation, including lower‑sugar and seed‑oil‑free options.

Personnel and reporting disputes: Senators quoted a February resignation letter from James Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods, who warned that firing of staff in the human foods program had removed technical expertise. Dr. McCary responded that many staff had been scheduled for future reductions but that a subset of researchers were restored after his review. He repeatedly distinguished "scientific reviewers" from other research scientists and said scientific reviewers had not been cut as part of the reduction in force.

What was not decided: The committee asked for written follow‑up questions and said it would expect detailed personnel lists and restoration decisions. No formal policy change was adopted at the hearing.

Ending note: Senators invited the commissioner to work with Congress on bipartisan infant‑formula legislation referenced during the hearing and emphasized both safety and the need for regulatory paths that allow product innovation and supply resilience.