FDA Appoints New Deputy Commissioner for Foods

The FDA has announced the appointment of Michael R. Taylor as Deputy Commissioner for Foods. What, you ask?

It's no surprise if you haven't heard of it; this is a new office, which will be responsible for enforcing the provisions of the food safety bill.

His post was created along with a new FDA Office of Foods last year in order "to elevate the leadership and management of the Foods Program." The office and its commissioner are in charge of ensuring the safety and proper labeling of human and animal food, which, due to the multiple contamination scares and labeling controversies of late, are priorities that need a little elevation.

As Marion Nestle discusses, the choice of Mr. Taylor is controversial, but, she believes, a good one. He is accused of being in the "revolving door" that swings between industry and government, but Nestle holds he's a good pick because his stance toward food safety "has been strong and consistent for years."

Which is kinda what you want in a food-safety director. She is impressed that he got the USDA to implement HACCP (science-based food safety regulations) for meat and poultry "against the full opposition of the meat industry — a truly heroic accomplishment."

There's reason for optimism, but I'm going to wait and see whether we get a few months free of salmonella poisoning before I get comfortable.

Photo: FDA