Current FDA Nutrition Leadership
As of late 2024, the FDA's nutrition program operates under a new structure, with its primary leadership residing within the Human Foods Program (HFP). The HFP consolidates the agency's food and nutrition responsibilities, previously spread across several offices.
Kyle Diamantas, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
The top leader overseeing all nutrition initiatives is Kyle Diamantas, J.D., who serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. Mr. Diamantas leads the HFP and has authority over FDA nutrition and food safety activities. He reports directly to the FDA Commissioner.
Robin McKinnon, Ph.D., MPA, Acting Director of the Nutrition Center of Excellence
For day-to-day nutrition-specific work, the acting head is Robin McKinnon, Ph.D., MPA, who directs the Nutrition Center of Excellence (NCE). The NCE is part of the HFP and focuses on nutrition science, policy, and initiatives.
The Shift from CFSAN to the Human Foods Program
The current structure is a direct result of a major reorganization implemented on October 1, 2024. The previous structure included the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The transition to the Human Foods Program aimed to address inefficiencies and bolster the agency's focus on food safety and nutrition.
The Need for Change
Critiques following the 2022 infant formula crisis highlighted structural shortcomings, leading to the creation of a more unified program, the HFP. This shift aimed to give nutrition a more prominent position within the agency's organizational chart.
Roles and Responsibilities within the Human Foods Program
The HFP's structure covers all aspects of food regulation. Under the Deputy Commissioner, the program includes several specialized offices. The full structure and details can be found on {Link: fda.gov https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/human-foods-program}.
A Comparison of Old vs. New FDA Food Programs
| Feature | Former CFSAN Structure | Current Human Foods Program (HFP) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Food Leader | Director of CFSAN (e.g., Susan T. Mayne) | Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods (Kyle Diamantas) |
| Key Nutrition Head | Department within CFSAN | Acting Director of the Nutrition Center of Excellence (Robin McKinnon) |
| Organizational Scope | Food safety, nutrition, and supplements often operated in silos. | Unified program consolidating food safety, nutrition, and supplements under one Deputy Commissioner. |
| Field Operations | Handled by the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). | Integrated under the HFP as the Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII). |
| Primary Motivation | Established structure focusing on discrete regulatory tasks. | A response to modernization efforts and operational review findings to elevate public health. |
Conclusion: A Clearer Focus on Nutrition and Safety
The FDA's reorganization established a unified Human Foods Program led by Deputy Commissioner Kyle Diamantas and a dedicated Nutrition Center of Excellence under acting Director Robin McKinnon. This new framework is designed to more effectively realize the preventive vision of food safety regulations and elevate the importance of nutrition in public health strategy. The changes were implemented to strengthen the FDA's ability to respond to and prevent public health issues related to the nation's food supply. More information about this transformation can be found on the FDA's official modernization page: {Link: FDA.gov https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/fda-modernization-efforts-establishing-unified-human-foods-program-new-model-field-operations-and}.
