Jose Emilio Esteban, Chairperson of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), has been confirmed as the new United States of America Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. In a statement following the swearing in of Dr Esteban, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: “I am confident that Dr. Esteban’s leadership and experience is the right combination to advance our commitment to maintaining public health and reducing foodborne illness.”

Emilio Esteban has chaired the Food Hygiene Committee since its fortieth session in 2008. Tom Heilandt, Codex Secretary, in congratulating Emilio, said: “His commitment to international cooperation and building consensus on food safety is outstanding and his contributions to Codex go far beyond his work in food hygiene. I often consulted him on complex questions and I am confident that he will do an exceptional job as Under Secretary. I hope that he will remain active in Codex as much as his new duties allow.”

“Warm congratulations to Emilio on his appointment and heartfelt thanks for all his work to promote Codex and its values, including as long-standing chair of CCFH,” said Steve Wearne, United Kingdom, Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

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Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Photo credit ©FAO/Roberto Sciotti