Dr. Mindy Brashears of Texas is the fifth Senate-confirmed Under Secretary for Food Safety. She was confirmed with a voice vote of the U.S. Senate on Monday, March 23.
Brashears succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Hagen who served as Under Secretary for Food Safety but stepped down from that post six years ago. Brashears will be the fifth person to hold the position, which was created in 1997.
“Dr. Brashears brings a wealth of food safety knowledge, a microbiological background and boots-on-the-ground experience to this position, and we applaud the Senate for her confirmation,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. “We look forward to working with her, and continuing to work with the dedicated professionals at the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in advancing our common goal of protecting public health and keeping our food supply as safe as possible.”
Brashears was named Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety last year by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue – a move that did not require Senate confirmation.
Her responsibilities also include oversight of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, including policies and programs. FSIS regulates the nation’s meat, poultry, certain egg products, and catfish.
Brashears is a former professor of food safety at Texas Tech University and has received numerous awards and recognitions during her career dedicated to improving food safety and public health.
