NTF Statement: Prospective Nomination of USDA
Under Secretary for Food Safety

Attribute to NTF President Joel Brandenberger

The National Turkey Federation and its members congratulate Dr. Elizabeth Hagen on her prospective nomination to be USDA's next under secretary for food safety. We recognize the administration went through a long and careful process before making this nomination, and we believe it signals a continuing commitment to a science-based, risk-based inspection system.

Dr. Hagen's experience as a medical doctor, combined with her years of service at USDA, give her the background and training necessary to build on the agency's successes in enhancing the safety of the food supply and make her well qualified to lead USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and to further strengthen its public health mission.

NTF looks forward to working with Dr. Hagen and to maintaining consumer confidence in the food supply through the ongoing evolution of the HACCP inspection system and the implementation of new science-based food safety technologies.

For more information, contact Sherrie Rosenblatt, vice president of marketing and communications: Phone: 202-898-0100, Ext. 7227; E-mail: srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org.