Acting Under Secretary Beth Johnson Departs USDA

WASHINGTON — Acting Under Secretary Beth Johnson departs USDA after accepting a new position as executive vice president of public affairs for the National Restaurant Association.

"It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve the Department of Agriculture and the American people for the last seven years. I am grateful to have worked with an outstanding team of USDA colleagues, whose professionalism, public service and friendship I deeply value," said Johnson.

Johnson became Acting Under Secretary of Food Safety on October 1. In this position, Johnson was responsible for overseeing the policies and programs of FSIS, and she chaired the U.S. Codex Steering Committee, which provides guidance to U.S. delegations to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Johnson most recently served as Chief Assistant to Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and Deputy Chief of Staff since May 2005. A registered dietitian, Johnson joined USDA in 2002, having served more than a decade advising government and the private sector.