"With the recent salmonella outbreak fresh in our minds, the American Public Health Association (APHA) welcomes today's selection of Dr. Margaret Hamburg as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Among other qualities essential to effectively lead the FDA, Dr. Hamburg is well-respected, smart, tough and effective and knows the full spectrum of issues related to public health. She also has an extraordinary understanding of what the FDA means to real people in communities around the nation and has demonstrated throughout her career that she is deeply committed to protecting and improving health.

"Her appointment signals a commitment to protecting consumer health, and we are confident that under her leadership there will be a concerted effort to support scientific independence and ensure that politics will not influence agency decisions.

"We look forward to working with Dr. Hamburg, along with her new deputy Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, in the months and years ahead."

American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 United States

http://www.apha.org