If you’ve walked into a grocery store lately and noticed that food labels look a little different, or if you’ve heard rumblings about a massive shake-up in how the government handles your medicine, there is one name you need to know. Dr. Martin "Marty" Makary. As of early 2026, Dr. Makary is the man in the hot seat. He’s the 27th Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and honestly, he is not your typical "career bureaucrat."
Most people just want to know if their Tylenol is safe or if their cereal is actually killing them. But the person at the top of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decides how those questions get answered. Since being confirmed by the Senate in March 2025, Makary has been on a bit of a tear. He’s a Johns Hopkins surgeon who spent years writing bestsellers about how broken the medical system is. Now? He’s the one holding the keys to the kingdom.
The Surgeon Who Moved to Washington
Marty Makary didn't just stumble into this role. Before he was head of FDA, he was a pancreatic surgeon. He’s the guy who pioneered the surgical checklist—that basic but life-saving list doctors use so they don’t leave a sponge inside you.
But he also became a bit of a rebel in the medical world. He wrote books like The Price We Pay and Blind Spots, basically calling out the industry for high costs and "groupthink." When President Trump tapped him for the job, it sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry. Why? Because Makary isn't afraid to say when he thinks the "experts" are wrong.
A Quick Timeline of How We Got Here
- January 20, 2025: Dr. Robert Califf, the previous commissioner under the Biden administration, stepped down.
- March 25, 2025: The Senate confirmed Makary in a 56-44 vote.
- April 1, 2025: He officially took the oath of office.
- Current Status: He is leading a massive "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
What is the Head of FDA Actually Doing Right Now?
If you think the FDA is just about approving drugs, think again. Makary is currently overseeing a budget of about $6.8 billion. That sounds like a lot, but he’s actually been cutting costs. He’s trimmed about 1,900 administrative positions to focus more on "boots on the ground" science.
✨ Don't miss: Why Sometimes You Just Need a Hug: The Real Science of Physical Touch
One of his biggest moves in 2026 has been the war on ultra-processed foods. You’ve probably seen him on the news talking about the "new food pyramid." He’s pushing to remove petroleum-based dyes (those bright reds and yellows in your snacks) and wants to close the "GRAS" loophole.
What’s the GRAS Loophole? It stands for "Generally Recognized As Safe." Basically, for years, companies could decide for themselves if a food additive was safe without telling the FDA. Makary is trying to kill that practice.
The Drug Approval Shake-up
On the drug side, things are getting faster. Makary is a big fan of using AI-assisted review tools and "real-world evidence." This means instead of just waiting 10 years for a clinical trial to finish, the FDA is looking at how drugs perform in the real world to speed up approvals for things like Alzheimer’s and rare diseases.
Is He Controversial? Kinda.
You can't lead an agency that regulates 20 cents of every dollar spent by Americans without making some enemies. Some scientists worry that by moving too fast, the FDA might miss safety signals.
🔗 Read more: Can I overdose on vitamin d? The reality of supplement toxicity
He’s also had some friction with old-school vaccine advocates. While Makary says he is "pro-vaccine," he has been vocal about wanting more transparency and more focus on "natural immunity." This has made him a hero to some and a wildcard to others.
Why This Matters to You
So, why should you care who is head of FDA? Because this office affects your life every single day.
- At the Pharmacy: Makary is pushing for more drugs to be sold over-the-counter (OTC) to lower costs.
- In the Kitchen: He’s reviewing thousands of chemicals that are currently allowed in American food but banned in Europe.
- In the Lab: He’s trying to eliminate unnecessary animal testing, which could change how every new drug is developed.
Key People Working With Him
It’s not just a one-man show. Makary works closely with:
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (his boss).
- Dr. Vinay Prasad: The new director of the Center for Biologics (the vaccine and gene therapy wing).
- Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg: Currently the acting head of the drug evaluation branch.
How to Stay Informed
The FDA is a massive machine. If you want to keep tabs on what the commissioner is doing, the best way is to watch the FDA Public Calendar. It lists every meeting the head of FDA has with industry lobbyists and scientists.
💡 You might also like: What Does DM Mean in a Cough Syrup: The Truth About Dextromethorphan
You can also follow the official press announcements on the FDA website. Since Makary took over, they’ve been much more aggressive about posting updates on food recalls and new drug approvals.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re concerned about food safety or drug costs under the current leadership, here’s how to actually use this information:
- Check the "Ingredients" over "Nutrition": With the current focus on removing dyes and additives, keep an eye on labels for "Red 40" or "Yellow 5." These are the specific targets of the current FDA administration.
- Report Side Effects: If you’re using a new drug, use the MedWatch portal. Makary has emphasized that "real-world data" is how they will monitor safety in 2026, so your report actually carries more weight now than it used to.
- Watch for OTC Switches: Keep an eye on your prescription medications. The FDA is currently reviewing a long list of drugs (like certain asthma and migraine meds) to see if they can be moved to the regular store shelves to save you money on doctor visits.
The head of FDA isn't just a title on a door in Silver Spring, Maryland. Right now, it’s a doctor who is trying to flip the script on how America eats and heals. Whether he succeeds or not will depend on how well he balances his "rebel" instincts with the cold, hard science the agency was built on.