CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC -- Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), today congratulated Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban on his nomination to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety:

"Dr. Esteban is well respected and well qualified to lead the food safety mission at the Department," said Potts. "A veterinarian and an epidemiologist with decades of experience at USDA, Esteban is uniquely qualified to ensure sound science drives food safety and public health decision-making. We urge a swift Senate confirmation to ensure Dr. Esteban can assume this critical role without further delay."

The North American Meat Institute is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. The Meat Institute's members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, and manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed to produce the safest and highest quality meat and poultry products.