David Kessler, '78, Elected Chair of Center for Science in the Public Interest Board of Directors
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler Elected Chair of CSPI Board of Directors
Dr. David A. Kessler has been elected chair of the board of directors of the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, the food and health watchdog group announced today. Kessler, who served as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration from 1990 to 1997 and who went on to serve as dean of the Yale School of Medicine and dean and vice chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco Medical School, has served as a member of CSPI’s board since 2010.
As FDA Commissioner, Kessler oversaw the agency’s implementation of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, which required mandatory Nutrition Facts on packaged foods, and became known as an outspoken advocate for greater regulation of nicotine and the tobacco industry. He was appointed to the position by President George H.W. Bush and retained by President William Clinton.
“Better than almost anyone, David Kessler knows how the food environment affects Americans’ choices and health, and how both government and groups like CSPI can change that environment for the better,” said CSPI president Dr. Peter G. Lurie. “We’re grateful to have a visionary leader of David’s stature chair our board as CSPI begins its next chapter.”
Read more at Center for Science in the Public Interest