FDA Names Deputy Commissioner for Foods

WASHINGTONMichael R. Taylor was named Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Jan. 13.

Taylor is the first individual to hold the position that was created along with a new Office of Foods in August 2009 to elevate the leadership and management of the Foods Program. His responsibilities include helping FDA develop and implement a prevention-based strategy for food safety, plan implementation of new food-safety legislation, and ensure that food labels contain clear and accurate information on nutrition.

Taylor is a nationally recognized food safety expert, having served in numerous high-level positions at FDA and USDA, as a research professor in academia, and on several National Academy of Sciences expert committees. He returned to FDA in July 2009 as senior adviser to the commissioner.