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Undersecretary for Food Safety Chosen

In an announcement Monday, President Obama says he intends to nominate Dr. Elizabeth Hagen as USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the choice.

"There is no more fundamental function of government than protecting consumers from harm, which is why food safety is one of USDA's top priorities," said Vilsack. "We can and must do a better job of ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products regulated by USDA, and Dr. Hagen brings the background, skills, and vision to lead USDA's efforts to make sure that Americans have access to a safe and healthy food supply."

Currently Hagen is USDA's Chief Medical Officer advising on a wide range of USDA mission areas. Prior to that, she served in the Food Safety and Inspection Service as a senior executive helping to develop the agency's scientific and public health agendas.