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Florida attorney Kyle Diamantas has been named acting deputy commissioner for human foods at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Diamantas has been appointed to replace Jim Jones, who resigned last Monday, following the Trump administration's dismissal of 89 staff members at the division over the weekend. Diamantas will oversee all FDA nutrition and food safety activities in the role.

The statement said: “As the FDA’s top food executive, Diamantas sets the strategic direction and operations for food policy in the US, while serving as a critical liaison between the agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and the White House. He also represents the agency on food activities and matters in dealings with foreign governments and internal organisations.”

Diamantas’ experience includes working with various federal and state agencies and policy makers, scientific organisations, consumer advocacy groups and industry stake holders and has previously worked within compliance and legislation.