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Michael Taylor's Got a New Job Title

by: Jill Richardson

Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 21:52:06 PM PST

Michael R. Taylor, J.D., was named Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on Jan. 13, 2010. He is the first individual to hold the position, which was created along with a new Office of Foods in August 2009 to elevate the leadership and management of the Foods Program.
- From MarlerBlog

I don't know if this means he's got any change in job responsibilities, since this already was his basic function at FDA. It seems to me he's just got a new job title and a revised org chart to go along with it.

UPDATE: Here are articles on this from NYT and WaPo. H/t Naomi Starkman

Jill Richardson :: Michael Taylor's Got a New Job Title

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Michael Taylor's Got a New Job Title | 5 comments

That title... (4.00 / 2)

...is kinda disturbing sounding, no? I don't know... is it just me, or does that sound like something out of a dystopic political novel or something?

I was gathering research for my next article when I was accosted near the market on Miller Street by representatives from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Food*. I was notified that there had been "problems" found with my latest work, and that I was to appear before the Commission next Tuesday to be queried on the matter. Incidentally, Kenneth Stephens also made an appearance before the same panel shortly before he was disappeared.

*Yeah, I know that's not the exact title, but it works better for my fake novel excerpt!

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

by: JayinPortland @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 06:06:15 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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org charts (4.00 / 1)

Org charts rule D.C. Org charts matter.

Mr. Taylor is a nationally recognized food safety expert...
...
As Deputy Commissioner for Foods, Taylor will help FDA to develop and implement a prevention based strategy for food safety, plan implementation of new food safety legislation...
...
Taylor also served as Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety at USDA...

So, class, let's review -

What's the difference between the FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, except that the first job is filled and the second job is vacant, has no nominee, and has not been filled even on an acting basis for 12 months?

Yes, you're right, Under Secretary is higher on an org chart that Deputy Commisioner, but Under Secretary jobs can be abolished.

by: count @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 08:37:45 AM UTC

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Sebelius and Vilsack (4.00 / 1)

I think Secretary Sebelius just won a battle, which was lost by Secretary Vilsack.

by: count @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 08:43:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

well we're talking about 2 diff depts (4.00 / 1)

HHS for FDA and USDA for FSIS. They have separate jurisdictions for what they regulate.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

by: Jill Richardson @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 08:56:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The only question I have is - (0.00 / 0)

How many more hoops is he going to make me jump through to sell to my CSA share holders?????

Things keep going the way they look like they're going with these regulatory agencies and congress, I may have to shift by business to a different business model.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

by: Joanne Rigutto @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 13:42:51 PM UTC

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Michael Taylor's Got a New Job Title | 5 comments