WASHINGTON — James Jones has been selected as the first deputy commissioner for Human Foods at the Food and Drug Administration, effective Sept. 24.

In the newly created executive position, Mr. Jones will lead the charge in setting and advancing priorities for a proposed unified Human Foods Program (HFP), which will be a combination of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Food Policy and Response (OFPR) and certain aspects of the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA).

Program areas for the HFP would include food safety, chemical safety and innovative food products, including those from new agricultural technologies, that will support the resilience of the US food supply in the face of climate change and globalization, as well as nutrition to help reduce diet-related diseases and improve health equity.

Mr. Jones is currently president of JJonesEnvironmental, where he provides strategic advice to clients on issues related to chemical safety. He also spent more than two years as executive vice president of the Household and Commercial Products Association. The bulk of Mr. Jones’s career, though, was spent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he worked for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. At the EPA, he was a principal architect of the 2016 overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the first update of that statute in more than 40 years. He was also responsible for decision-making related to the regulation of pesticides and commercial chemicals. He also led several national sustainability programs, including the EPA’s Environmental Preferable Purchasing Program and the Presidential Green Chemistry Awards Challenge.

Mr. Jones was an integral member of the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s Independent Expert Panel for Foods, which submitted a report on the operational evaluation of the FDA’s Human Foods Program to the agency in December 2022.

He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

“I’m delighted to welcome Jim to the FDA,” said Robert M. Califf, MD, FDA commissioner. “His impressive career, extensive leadership experience and passionate vision for the future of the Human Foods Program make him an ideal selection for this pivotal position. Our proposed reorganization is the largest undertaking of its kind in recent history for our agency. I’m confident that under Jim’s leadership, we will build a stronger organization that will be integrated with other components of the FDA and focused on keeping the foods we regulate safe and nutritious, while ensuring the agency remains on the cutting edge of the latest advancements in food science and nutrition.”

In his new role, Mr. Jones will report to Dr. Califf. Once the reorganization is in place, Mr. Jones will have decision-making authority over all HFP entities, including ORA activities. Additionally, he will provide executive leadership over the entire program as well as over resource allocation, risk-prioritization strategy, policy, and major response activities involving human foods. The leadership for CFSAN and the OFPR will report to Mr. Jones until the proposed HFP reorganization is implemented.  

“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as the first Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the FDA,” Mr. Jones said. “I had the pleasure of serving on the expert panel that provided operational recommendations for the FDA’s foods-related activities, and I now look forward to helping the agency realize its vision for the proposed Human Foods Program, including carrying out important nutrition initiatives to improve the health of our country. As a former pesticide regulator, I have a deep understanding of the unique needs of government programs involved in upholding safety of the US food supply, as well as the important role that the agriculture community and state partners play in this paradigm. I am honored to serve the FDA and the country in this new capacity.”

Mr. Jones will be supported in his new role by an executive leadership team and work with other FDA executives to ensure priorities are coordinated and advanced. He also will work closely with the ORA on human foods-related activities as well as the Center for Veterinary Medicine activities that have a connection to human foods.

Commenting on Mr. Jones’s appointment, Sarah Gallo, vice president of product policy for the Consumer Brands Association, said the CBA is “eager” to partner with Mr. Jones to transform the agency into one that is “structured, governed and funded for success.”

“Jones embodies the management qualifications the industry and stakeholders have been asking for to ensure FDA can properly deliver on its mission of protecting consumer health and safety,” Ms. Gallo said. “We commend Commissioner Califf on this hire and are encouraged that this is a step toward modernizing the agency so it can move at the speed of the consumer.”

Roberta Wagner, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association, also applauded the appointment.

“Jim’s vast government leadership experience uniquely qualifies him to navigate the transformational change FDA needs to elevate, unify and shape the Human Foods Program for the future,” Ms. Wagner said. “IDFA supports his appointment, and we will look forward to opportunities to work with Jim to prioritize stakeholder engagement and enhance transparency across the FDA’s Human Foods Program.”

Today I want to share my free walking tour in Bath with you. This beautiful historic city in the UK is the perfect place to discover on foot. With its golden stone buildings, elegant crescents, Roman Baths, exciting shopping streets, and bucolic waterways, there’s a lot to see on a self-guided Bath walking tour. My route and map will show you the main highlights of the city and take you to some of the less-explored places locals love.

Free Walking Tour in Bath

From the eye-catching architecture of the Royal Crescent to the riverfront scenery on the Avon, Bath is one of the best cities in England.

Home to some of the most well-preserved ancient Roman remains in the world and an abundance of Jane Austen sites, the city is one of the most exciting places to visit in Britain.

But it’s not just about the history. Whether you want to browse the best shops in Bath or walk across the famous Pulteney Bridge, the city has something for everyone.

No matter if you’re here on a Bath day trip, a weekend trip to Bath, a tour, or a visit to Bath and the Cotswolds, you’ll be able to discover a lot in this part of Somerset.

I’ve visited Bath many times. Each trip has revealed more of the highlights and secret spaces. I’ve also taken many guided tours of Bath. They’ve shown me some of the best places in the city. If you’re interested, you can book one here.

I hope my free walking tour in Bath helps you enjoy getting to know the city as much as I have. It’s one of the most magical places to visit in the UK.

If you want more ideas, you can find lots of additional routes and maps in the popular book A-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden Walks: Discover 20 Routes In and Around the Cities. You can get it on Amazon here.

The Route

My free walking tour in Bath starts on Pulteney Bridge. It’s centrally located, so it’s easy to get to from the train station, bus stops, hotels (including my favorite hotel in the city), and on foot from other places in town.

You can look around and do some shopping before you start your walk, or head off when you arrive (you’ll be back later in the tour, so you can always shop then).

Whatever you decide, start your self-guided walking tour of Bath by heading to the west side of the bridge and turning left to go down Grand Parade. You’ll take in the River Avon and its unique weir on your left and beautiful heritage buildings on your right.

Soon you’ll reach Parade Gardens, a riverside park in Bath. You can spend some time exploring it, or continue your walk by following Grand Parade along the green space until you reach Terrace Walk.

When you get to it, veer right and head down Terrace Walk, keeping right to get onto to North Parade. When you arrive at North Parade Passage, turn right to go down it.

This street is home to famous places like Sally Lunn’s, a tearoom and restaurant that’s housed in one of the oldest homes in Bath. It’s famous for its buns, so you can stop for one if you want to try this local specialty.

Whatever you decide, as you make your way down North Parade Passage don’t miss the beautiful North Parade Buildings on your left or the many good restaurants and shops around you.

When you reach the end of North Parade Passage, you’ll find yourself in Abbey Green. Featuring a large tree surrounded by pretty shops and cafes, it’s a great place to spend some time exploring. It was also a Bridgerton filming location.

When you’re done, continue your free walking tour in Bath by heading out of Abbey Green on Abbey Street. You’ll see the Roman Baths and get a great view of Bath Abbey as you reach York Street.

When you get there, veer right and walk into the square by the church. You can explore for a while and go inside the abbey if you want to, or continue your self-guided walk by turning left on Abbey Churchyard and going past the Roman Baths.

This famous site is worth seeing from the inside, and you can take a break from the walk to tour it if you want to.

You can also stop for a meal or snack next door at The Pump Room. It featured in Jane Austen novels like Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.

Even if you don’t want to eat, it’s worth taking a peek inside the famous Georgian building. It was the social heart of Bath for centuries, and you can taste the famous waters from the fountain inside.

When you’re done, you can continue down Abbey Churchyard and go under the beautiful colonnade to get to Stall Street. When you arrive, turn left and walk to Bath Street.

Turn right on Bath Street and admire the beautiful columns as you make your way to where it meets Hot Bath Street. When you get there, veer right to stay on Bath Street, then turn left along Chandos Buildings.

Walk through the narrow passage and admire the greenery as you make your way to Westgate Buildings. When you arrive, turn right and walk up the street, admiring the historic Bath Stone architecture on either side of you as you go.

When you reach the intersection with Westgate Street and Saw Close, keep straight to get onto the latter. You’ll see more columns and historic buildings here, and you’ll pass the Theatre Royal.

When you reach Barton Street, keep straight and make your way along it as you walk up to Queen Square. When you arrive, you can go into the green space and rest your legs, or walk along it and continue straight as it becomes Gay Street.

You’ll pass The Jane Austen Centre and Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein as you make your way up to The Circus. They’re right next to each other and you can stop to visit one or both if you want to.

The Circus is one of the most beautiful places in Bath. A historic ring of grand Georgian townhouses designed by architect John Wood, the Elder, it was built the mid-18th century.

Spend some time admiring the buildings here before exiting The Circus by taking a left on Brock Street. At the end of it you’ll find yourself in one of the most famous places in Bath: the Royal Crescent.

This stunning half-moon row of 30 terraced houses is situated on a green. Designed by John Wood, the Younger, it’s one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the United Kingdom.

Take a while to walk around and admire the scene, then continue your free walking tour in Bath by retracing your steps down Brock Street until you reach Margaret’s Buildings, a pedestrianized lane.

Turn left on Margaret’s Buildings and soak up the colorful shops and cafes as you make your way to Catharine Place. This is a good spot to stop for a meal, snack, or drink if you need a break. I particularly like The Green Bird Cafe.

When you reach Catharine Place, keep straight to walk up it and admire the green space on your left. When you get to the end, turn right to walk down Rivers Street. There are more pretty historic houses here.

Follow Rivers Street until it reaches Brunswick Place. Turn right on Brunswick Place, admiring Christ Church in front of you. Make sure to look behind you to see the pretty intersection with Julian Road, too.

When you get to the next street, you have two options for continuing your free Bath walking tour. One is to turn left onto Belvedere, head up the hill, and turn right on Camden Crescent.

You’ll be rewarded with beautiful houses and views of the city from near where Camden Crescent meets St Stephen’s Road.

The other option is to turn right on Belmont and walk down the hill, then turn right on George Street (if you choose the first option, retrace your steps and follow the second option when you’re done).

Walk along George Street and admire the cafes, then turn left on Milsom Street.

Milsom Street is packed with shops. It’s easy to spend time popping in and out of them as you make your way down to Old Bond Street. There are more shops to browse when you get there, and they’ll lead you down to Upper Borough Walls.

Turn left on Upper Borough Walls and make your way along the street. You’ll see cute places like Good Day Cafe, which are great for tea and cake.

Turn right on Union Passage and follow the skinny alley to Northumberland Place. Turn left and browse your way down to High Street.

When you reach it, you’ll be across the road from the Bath Guildhall Market. If you want to, you can pop in and explore the stalls and cafes in this 19th-century covered market.

If not, continue your free walking tour in Bath by turning right and admiring the facade of the Guildhall and the view of Bath Abbey. When you reach The Corridor, turn right and walk through the shopping arcade until you get back to Union Passage.

When you do, turn left and walk down the skinny lane to Cheap Street. Turn left there, then veer slightly right to stay on it as it becomes Orange Grove. You’ll pass lots of restaurants as you go.

When you find yourself in front of Alkmaar Gardens (also called Orange Grove), take in the obelisk. It was designed by Beau Nash to commemorate the Prince of Orange’s visit to take the waters in Bath in 1734.

Continue your Bath walking tour by following Orange Grove out to Grand Parade and walking along it as it curves left to Pulteney Bridge. Designed by architect Robert Adam in the Palladian style in the late 18th century, the bridge has shops all along it.

When you arrive, cross Pulteney Bridge (and shop while you go if you want to). You can either end your free walking tour in Bath here, or continue it by going down Argyle Street.

If you choose the latter, you’ll pass shops and the Laura Place Fountain. Keep straight when the road becomes Great Pulteney Street, and make sure to take in the elegant Georgian buildings as you make your way down to The Holburne Museum.

You can visit the museum, which was the city’s first public art gallery (and Lady Danbury’s house in Bridgerton), or continue your free walking tour in Bath by turning left down Sydney Place and entering Sydney Gardens where it meets Beckford Road.

This Grade II-listed green space is the oldest park in the city of Bath, and it’s the only remaining 18th-century pleasure garden in the UK.

You can explore the gardens for as long as you want to. It’s worth walking over to the Kennet and Avon Canal while you’re there. There are beautiful bridges and a towpath you can follow.

When you’re done, make your way back out of the park and retrace your steps down Great Pulteney Street and Argyle Street to get back to Pulteny Bridge. Your free walking tour in Bath ends where it began.

Bath Free Tour Details and Map

Best Free Walking Tour in Bath

I hope my self-guided walking tour in Bath has made you want to get out and discover this amazing place and its world-class sightseeing highlights. Bath is one of the best cities in the UK and there are a lot of great places to see here. Happy walking!

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