P99-1 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Media: 202-205-4144
January 8, 1999
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO FDA
As Director of FDA's Food Safety Initiative, Dr. Potter will report directly to Joseph A. Levitt, the Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), and will oversee all of the the Center's food safety efforts. Dr. Potter will also work to expand and improve FDA's food-related inspection and surveillance, and will take the lead in enhancing FDA's coordination with other federal, state and local agencies in responding to foodborne illness outbreaks, instituting additional prevention controls and strategies, and conducting nationwide public education campaigns.
"Ensuring that the food Americans serve at their kitchen tables is safe is a top priority of this Administration. As an internationally recognized expert on foodborne diseases Dr. Potter will be an enormous asset to FDA as we work to help improve safety of the nation's food supply," said Dr. Jane E. Henney, FDA Commissioner. "Dr. Potter brings to the job an impressive scientific background that will help FDA design and carry out strengthened and improved food safety programs and policies."
Dr. Potter has worked for 25 years in the field of epidemiology and public health policy. Most recently, Dr. Potter served as the Assistant Director for Foodborne Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In that position, he was one of the leaders of CDC's foodborne disease prevention efforts and served as CDC's liaison on the Federal Food Safety Initiative. Dr. Potter was also Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Foodborne Disease Surveillance which investigates, evaluates, and creates prevention strategies for foodborne disease epidemics throughout the world.
Dr. Potter has also served in various veterinary epidemiologist positions for a wide range of federal and state food safety programs including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Public Health. His experience includes work with foreign governments such as the Republic of Cyprus.
Dr. Potter has served on a number of national and international professional committees including four National Academy of Science panels as well as the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. He has received numerous awards, including several United States Public Health Service awards for accomplishments in the investigation and control of foodborne diseases and an FDA award for improvements in the field of microbial risk assessment and for forging improved inter-agency collaborations.
Dr. Potter received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University in 1971 and a Master of Science degree in veterinary pathology from the University of Georgia in 1981.
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Letter announcing Potter's appointment February 9, 1999