Official Appointed to Oversee All FDA Food Safety Programs

On January 13, 2010 the Obama administration appointed Michael R. Taylor, a veteran food expert, as deputy commissioner for foods at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an effort to address the nation’s fractured food safety system. This newly created position is the first to oversee all the agency’s many food and nutrition programs.

Although powerful legislators in Congress had proposed creating a new agency to combine the government’s diverse food programs, compromise legislation headed for passage by spring will instead invest more food authority and money in the FDA functions that Mr. Taylor will oversee. However, if Mr. Taylor proves unable to prevent or quickly resolve the growing number of food scares, the idea of a separate food agency is likely to be revisited.

Click here to read the full details in the New York Times article

And in the Washington Post, it further describes the role of the new deputy commissioner: “Congress is moving ahead with legislation to grant vast new authority to the FDA to ensure food safety -- the House passed a bill last year and the Senate is expected to take up its version soon -- and Taylor will be responsible for implementing new laws aimed at preventing outbreaks instead of merely reacting after they occur.”

Much of Taylor’s job will be bringing together the various programs, Food regulation is currently split among the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, where much of the scientific research takes place; the Center for Veterinary Medicine, which regulates the manufacture and sale of food additives and drugs for animals; and the Office of Regulatory Affairs, which handles inspections of domestic and imported products and works with state and local officials. Traditionally, the three sections were managed separately. With the appointment of Mr. Taylor the goal is for these departments to come together and work quickly together to ensure food safety.

Read the full article here

Editorial in the New York Times states that some have said Mr. Taylor, who once worked for Monsanto, is too close to big food companies while others are supportive… Dr. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a frequent critic of the food industry and of lax government oversight, has said that Mr. Taylor is “extremely knowledgeable and public-health oriented.”

Read the full editorial here

And for background on Mr.Taylor’s experience please visit the FDA website