The Center For Food Safety And Applied Nutrition Welcomes A New Director

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

Internationally known, Susan Mayne, PhD, replaces the retiring Michael M. Landa as the director for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

CFSAN (Center For Food Safety And Applied Nutrition) is a division of the Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, which operates under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This onion has many layers — the FDA oversees not only foods, animal, and veterinary concerns of the global food chain, but drugs, medical devices, vaccines, biologics, cosmetics, and tobacco products. In November, the agency announced Landa’s retirement and had already filled his position with Mayne. Due to the extended period of time between the announcement and the passing of the torch, the transition should be relatively seamless, though Mayne definitely has some big shoes to fill.

The last four years have been arduous ones for the FDA and CFSAN. CFSAN has played a vital role in the drafting and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) after President Obama signed it into being in January of 2011. Landa’s extensive knowledge, paired with his positive attitude, has no doubt contributed to the agency’s success during this challenging time. In December, Landa shared his gratification publically. He expounded on the fact, that contrary to popular belief, the majority of investigators employed by the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) are dedicated, skilled, and own a great deal of pride. The ORA is tasked with enforcing the many and ever-changing regulations under the purview of the FDA. Landa and the ORA Associate Commissioner, Melinka K. Plaisier, blogged about their inspiring, in-the-field experiences in the FDA Voice.

Mayne’s job will include the oversight of the more than $450 billion annual worth of domestic and imported foods and over 400,000 establishments that are required to register with the FDA. The FDA’s ambitious strategic plan makes public the agency’s transparent efforts to draft a comprehensive, sensible, and doable food-safety plan. With the goals clearly laid out through 2018, every agency under the FDA has its work cut out for it, including CFSAN.

Mayne should be up to the task. Under Landa’s leadership, a new culture of food safety has evolved. Mayne’s beneficial and successful collaborations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help to pave the way for the coming changes. She has a good working relationship with state legislators, through her public-health efforts and the bills that have been passed. Mayne has also mentored many young professionals who are now holding important positions with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public and private entities. The author or co-author of more than 200 scientific publications, her expertise is married well with her exceptional communication skills. We look forward to getting to know Susan Mayne and we thank Michael Landa for his valuable contributions to global food safety.