Food appointments from the top
joining the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) as director of
scientific and regulatory policy and Mike Leavitt being picked to
head the Health and Human Services department..
Monica Gonzalez will manage GMA's public policy objectives for food safety, recalls, traceability and other issues said the organization.
Prior to this appointment she worked as the regulatory manager of two customer divisions at McCormick & Company, where her responsibilities included ensuring international and domestic compliance with biotech labeling laws, organic certification, food safety regulations and other food labeling requirements.
Gonzalez has, in the past, also provided scientific and regulatory support for The Minute Maid Company, where she monitored the company's compliance with international food safety regulations and focused on minimizing the cost of tariffs.
"In today's international marketplace, GMA member companies face an increasing array of regulations with which they must comply," said C. Manly Molpus GMA's CEO. "Monica's experience in managing product requirements - which can vary widely from country to country - while also maximizing profits will ensure that GMA continues to provide its members with the highest quality of service."
Gonzalez will, in addition, serve as the secretariat of the not-for-profit International Council of Grocery Manufacturing Associations (ICGMA), which represents the interests of the food and beverage industry in international forums such as Codex Alimentarius and the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, Ismael Roig has joined the Archer Daniels Midland Company's (ADM) corporate finance department in a newly-created position as vice president of planning and business development.
Up at the White House, employees at the FDA could have a new boss as President Bush has selected Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and former Utah Governor, Mike Leavitt, to head the US Department of Health and Human Services, which includes overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
As head of HHS, Leavitt would, according to Newsday.com oversee an agency with 67,000 employees and a $573-billion budget.
If confirmed, Leavitt will replace Tommy Thompson, a former governor of Wisconsin, who announced his resignation two weeks ago.
