WASHINGTON, July 1, 2008 - U.S. Department Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that Dr. Karen Hulebak, a chief scientist for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), has been elected to serve a two-year term as Chair of the prestigious Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the international food standards organization. The announcement was made on July 1 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 31st Session of the CAC.

"We are pleased that Dr. Hulebak was elected to this important position," said USDA Secretary Ed Schafer. "With a distinguished career in food science and food safety and a long association with Codex, I cannot think of a better choice to lead the organization."

Prior to her election as Chair, Dr. Hulebak served as the organization's Vice Chair and Chair of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene - both positions in which she gained respect for her ability to build consensus throughout the world on important food standard issues.

"Dr. Hulebak's inclusive approach to leadership, coupled with an outstanding background in food safety make her an excellent choice and an excellent leader for Codex," said Dr. Raymond. "I have the pleasure of working with Dr. Hulebak on Codex issues, and I am certain that under her leadership, the Commission will continue its commitment to science-based decision-making and standard-setting."

Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex develops food standards, guidelines and codes of practice in order to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair food trade practices and promote coordination of food standards undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Dr. Hulebak received her doctorate in toxicology from the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health in 1983, and was a postdoctoral research fellow in pharmacology at the University of North Carolina Biomedical Research Center. She received her bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis.