HerbalEGram: Volume 4, Number 12, December 2007

David A. Acheson, MD, the assistant commissioner for food protection at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was appointed acting director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on November 19.¹ Dr. Acheson, who will also retain his pre-existing role at FDA, replaces Robert Brackett, PhD, as CFSAN director.

“With the release of the Food Protection and Import Safety plans, now more than ever we must continue the strong leadership at CFSAN,” said FDA’s Commissioner of Food and Drugs Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD.¹ “That’s why I have asked Dr. David Acheson to serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is recruited.” Dr. von Eschenbach has stated that he will initiate a nationwide search for a permanent CFSAN director as soon as possible.

Dr. Acheson has previously served as chief medical officer and director of the Office of Food Defense, Communication and Emergency Response at CFSAN. His permanent position as assistant commissioner for food protection was created in May.² An article published in HerbalGram #75 discussed the responsibilities of this new FDA position and the reasons behind its creation.

Former CFSAN director Dr. Brackett has left FDA to become the senior vice president and chief science and regulatory affairs officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).³ Dr. Brackett had served as CFSAN director since 2004.

“I am honored to join the Grocery Manufacturers Association and look forward to working with [GMA president and CEO] Cal Dooley and the association’s staff and members to advance the organization’s mission,” said Dr. Brackett, according to a recent GMA press release.³ In his new role at GMA, Dr. Brackett will oversee all of the association’s scientific and regulatory activity, including the operation of its in-house food safety laboratory.

—Courtney Cavaliere

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