At a crucial time for food safety in the US, FDA announced Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, will leave the agency on June 1.

A nationally recognized food safety expert, Taylor joined FDA in 2009 and has been instrumental in leading the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)—the most sweeping food safety reform in more than 70 years. FDA says Taylor plans to continue working in the food safety arena, focusing on those settings where people lack regular access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food.

Once Taylor leaves, Stephen Ostroff will become the second deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. Ostroff led the FDA as acting commissioner until the recent confirmation of Robert Califf as commissioner.