14 March 2022 - Deborah Wilkes
- Cara Welch has been promoted to director of the US FDA’s ODSP
- Welch is currently deputy director
- She replaces Steven Tave who left in March 2021 after five years
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has promoted Cara Welch to director of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) within its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).
Welch, who is currently deputy director, replaces Steven Tave who left the post in March 2021 after five years.
She joined the CFSAN in 2014 as a reviewer for current good manufacturing practices and labelling cases in what was then known as the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.
Before joining CFSAN, Welch spent four years at the dietary supplement trade association, the Natural Products Association, in the department of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs.
The US Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) applauded the appointment of Welch. “Her experience, knowledge of the issues and previous leadership at the ODSP will surely be good for the FDA and consumers,” said Duffy MacKay, CHPA’s senior vice president of dietary supplements.
“With permanent leadership and a fully staffed ODSP, we anticipate the FDA will be able to more proactively regulate the dietary supplements industry,” added MacKay.