FDA Commissioner resigning after only two years in office – Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.to Resign
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), hard hit by the partial government shutdown in early 2019, is facing another challenge as Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., has announced he will resign from his position at the end of March. Gottlieb was a key advocate in regulating e-cigarettes and vaping. A physician, Gottlieb led the way in approving less expensive generic medicines and in trying to resolve the opioid crisis. Commissioner Gottlieb also worked on ways to more effectively prevent and track outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
In a
speech
delivered at the NASDA Winter Policy Annual Conference in February 2019, Gottlieb reiterated a 2017 announcement that “routine inspections associated with the Produce Safety Rule, other than for sprouts operations, would begin in the spring of 2019.” The Product Safety Rule established science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.
Part of that initiative, undoubtedly in response to the multiple romaine lettuce e. coli outbreaks, was to provide training to farmers and regulators on food safety procedures. Gottlieb added that “We’re working with farmers, the produce industry and other stakeholders and considering lessons learned from the most recent outbreaks as we work to make sure the agricultural water standards will help protect all produce.”
Tony Coveny, PhD, Infectious Disease Attorney
