The White House plans to submit the name of Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban to the United States Senate for confirmation as USDA’s next under secretary for food safety.

Esteban is President Joe Biden’s choice to become the nation’s sixth Senate-confirmed undersecretary for food safety since Congress created the job in 1994.

Esteban is a veteran of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), where he worked since 2001, becoming its chief scientist in 2018.

Here’s his official biography at FSIS:

“Dr. J. Emilio Esteban was appointed as chief scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service in August 2018. In this capacity, Dr. Esteban serves as the primary scientific advisor on matters of public health and food safety that affect the mission of the agency, with primary responsibility for scientific initiatives within the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS). Dr. Esteban’s efforts directly support FSIS’ Strategic Goals 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health, and 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches.

“In 2002, Dr. Esteban joined OPHS as the director of the Western Laboratory. In this role, he directed the implementation of the sampling program and was responsible for the physical plant, equipment and personnel infrastructure. In 2008, he was appointed as the FSIS science advisor for laboratory services, where he harmonized the operation of all three FSIS laboratories, maintained operations to meet with the ISO17025 standard, and coordinated emergency response.

“Prior to joining FSIS, Dr. Esteban worked in several positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 1994 to 2002, he was as an epidemic intelligence service officer; a staff epidemiologist in the National Center for Environmental Health; and an assistant director for the CDC Food Safety Office.

“He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Mexico’s National University, a master’s of business administration from the Panamerican Institute, and a master’s of preventive veterinary medicine, as well as a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of California at Davis.”

The presidential appointment requires Senate confirmation before Esteban can take the office, which became vacant on Jan. 20, 2021.  Before then, Mindy Brashears was undersecretary for food safety during the Trump Administration.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a statement said Esteban has a “deep understanding of USDA’s commitment to protecting the health of the public by providing food safety.

“Having held several leadership roles in USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, he has a proven, and extensive, track record on this key issue.”

The USDA’s under secretary for food safety is the federal government’s top food safety position, responsible for oversight of FSIS along with other duties. The under secretary chairs the U.S. Codex Steering Committee, which provides guidance to U.S. delegations to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  

The FSIS  is responsible for ensuring the nation’s supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products is safe and correctly labeled and packaged.

 The under secretary must be selected from among individuals with specialized training or significant experience in food safety or public health programs.

In addition to Brashears, previous under secretaries include Dr. Elisabeth Hagen (August 2010- December 2013), Richard Allen Raymond (July 2005–January 2009), Elsa A. Murano (October 2001–December 2004), and Catherine Woteki (July 1997–January 2001). 

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