WASHINGTON — A quality control program that tests fluid milk and other dairy products has fallen victim to the worker shortage within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in the wake of President Donald Trump making cuts to the federal workforce.

Global news agency Reuters reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is a part of HHS, suspended milk quality tests due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division. 

The report revealed that, as of April 21, the FDA suspended its proficiency testing program for Grade “A” raw milk and finished products.

Reuters reported that an internal email it reviewed stated that the FDA suspended the program because its Moffett Center Proficiency Testing Laboratory "is no longer able to provide laboratory support for proficiency testing and data analysis.”

In 2024, the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) celebrated its 100th anniversary. First established as the Standard Milk Ordinance in 1924, FDA’s Grade A milk safety program involves, among other functions, “promoting the adoption, implementation and enforcement of regulatory standards” as provided in the PMO, per FDA’s website. 

Other roles of FDA’s milk safety program include assisting state and local regulatory agencies “in the prevention of communicable diseases and the implementation and enforcement of regulations related to the production and distribution of Grade "A" milk and milk products for human consumption,” the website states.