After greater than a yr of ready, Jose Emilio Esteban was sworn in as the brand new USDA Beneath Secretary for Meals Security. He replaces Mindy Brashers, who left in Jan. 2021.
“Dr. Esteban has a protracted and well-documented dedication to meals security and public well being. With over twenty years of expertise at USDA’s Meals Security and Inspection Service, he has been on the entrance traces of defending the general public from foodborne sickness for a lot of his profession,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack mentioned in a press release launched shortly after Esteban was sworn in.
“I’m assured that Dr. Esteban’s management and expertise is the correct mixture to advance our dedication to sustaining public well being and lowering foodborne sickness,” Vilsack says. “I stay up for working with him as USDA continues to deal with foodborne challenges head-on with revolutionary options and proactive measures.”
The Beneath Secretary oversees the Workplace for Meals Security. That department of USDA is answerable for guaranteeing the protection and correct labeling of American meat, poultry and egg merchandise. It’s also charged with finishing up the federal authorities’s meals security priorities.
Esteban has been with USDA’s Meals Security and Inspection Service since 2006. He’s labored as the manager affiliate for laboratory providers, the scientific advisor for laboratory providers and analysis coordination and the laboratory director for the Western Laboratory. Since 2018, he’s served because the FSIS Chief Scientist, offering recommendation and assist to coverage issues associated to microbiology, chemistry and pathology.
Prior this his tenure with USDA, he labored on the Facilities for Illness Management and prevention as an epidemic intelligence service officer, workers epidemiologist, and assistant director of the meals security workplace. Esteban can be vice chairman of the Worldwide Affiliation for Meals Safety and chairs the Codex Alimentarius Fee Committee on Meals Hygiene which defines meals hygiene requirements for worldwide commerce.
Biden nominated Esteban in Nov. 2021. He was formally confirmed by the Senate on the ultimate day of the 2022 session.
Ag teams reward affirmation
A number of agriculture organizations, together with the Nationwide Cattleman’s Beef Affiliation, the Nationwide Milk Producers Federation and the united statesDairy Export Council, applauded his affirmation. The Nationwide Affiliation of State Departments of Agriculture, which beforehand penned a letter expressing its assist, says Esteban brings many strengths to the agriculture and meals trade.
“Dr. Esteban is a exceptional scientist, and even perhaps extra essential, he’s an distinctive communicator with regards to serving to others perceive the science behind our meals,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney mentioned shortly after his affirmation. “The U.S. Division of Agriculture wants educated and skilled leaders on the helm like Dr. Esteban to navigate our meals system’s present challenges and implement bipartisan options.”
Have suggestions or story concepts? E-mail [email protected].
