NSF Appoints Former USDA Under Secretary of Food Safety to Board of Directors

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – NSF, a global public health and safety organization, has appointed Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, food safety advisor and former federal policy maker and regulator, to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Hagen is a physician with a long career in clinical medicine, public health and food safety consulting. As Principal of Elisabeth Hagen, PLLC, she consults with a range of clients including food companies and investors on food trends, regulatory issues and crisis management.

Formerly the Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 2010-2013, Dr. Hagen oversaw food safety policy for the U.S. meat and poultry industries, and advanced major reforms and consumer protections. She also served as a Principal in the White House Food Safety Working Group. Prior to her appointment as Under Secretary, Dr. Hagen led epidemiology and science programs in USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

“NSF is a leader in standard setting, accreditation, and testing. As a former federal regulator, I know how crucial NSF and its people have been to the advancement of public health and safety worldwide,” said Elisabeth Hagen, M.D “I am delighted to join the talented group of men and women on the NSF Board of Directors in support of this organization and its important mission.”

Since leaving the USDA, Dr. Hagen served as a senior advisor to Deloitte where she advised Fortune 500 companies on food and product safety, supply chain risk and brand enhancement. In her role at Deloitte, she counseled on growth and market differentiation of key consumer product offerings with a focus on emerging consumer preferences and trends.

In addition to NSF, Dr. Hagen holds board of director positions with TriStrata Group and Pure Bioscience. She earned her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and is specialty trained in internal medicine and infectious disease.

“Dr. Hagen has vast knowledge and expertise of food safety issues and policies,” said Kevan Lawlor, President and CEO of NSF. “She understands the important role an independent organization like NSF can play in protecting and improving human health and the environment. Dr. Hagen is an exceptional addition to our board of directors and provides trusted counsel and oversight.”

For more information on NSF, please visit www.nsf.org.

Editor’s Note: For media interviews, please contact Thomas Frey, APR at media@nsf.org or 734-214-6242.

NSF is an independent, global organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 175 countries, NSF is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.