North Carolina’s Joe Reardon named as NASDA’s food safety director

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has named Joe Reardon as director of food safety programs.

Reardon will lead NASDA’s cooperative agreements and activities with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, working to ensure consumers in the United States continue to enjoy the safest and healthiest food supply in the world.

Reardon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in food and feed safety at both the state and federal levels. Reardon currently serves as the assistant commissioner for consumer protection for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In this role, he oversees the divisions responsible for food safety, agricultural emergency response, animal health, and regulation of the structural pest control industry.

Reardon has advised NASDA’s food safety team as a technical expert since 2016, drawing from his 28 years of experience in various regulatory positions. His first day with NASDA is set for July 1.

“State agencies play a vital role in implementing and enforcing our nation’s system of food safety and inspection laws,” Reardon said. “I look forward to using my experience and deep understanding of our regulatory system to ensure states have resources needed to protect our food and ensure producers are equipped to implement food safety practices on their farms and in processing facilities.”

NASDA CEO Barb Glenn shared her excitement to welcome Reardon’s leadership.

“Joe’s highly reputable talent and experience in state and federal food regulation will bring strength to NASDA’s partnerships with FDA. His leadership will help NASDA better serve its members and pursue opportunities to forge additional food safety partnerships,” Glenn said.

Previously, Reardon served as senior advisor for federal-state relations and director for the Division of Federal-State Relations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs at FDA. There, he co-chaired the Food Safety Modernization Act Federal-State Integration Team.

In 2017, Reardon received the James A. Graham Award from NASDA for outstanding work in providing service to agriculture producers, and in 2013, NASDA honored him with a recognition of service award for his tireless support of state and federal program collaboration.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association that represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agriculture through policy, partnerships, and public engagement, according to its website. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.