A non-veterinarian profile to lead FDA’s animal policy

Forfa has temporarily held the position since December 2022 and is replacing Steven M. Solomon, who recently retired. 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf said that during her tenure, she will continue to apply the guiding principles of the center. The CVM regulates all policies related to animals, pet food, and drugs.

Tracey Forfa holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore in Maryland and has been involved with the CVM since 2002. She was named the deputy center director in 2008 and served as acting director in 2016.

Forfa was also the acting ombudsman for the CVM from 2019 to 2022. Before joining the CVM, she supported the department in various capacities.

She joined the federal agency in 1993, serving on the regulations and policy team at the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), which handles human tissue and blood banking matters.

Ensuring safe pet food

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) applauded her appointment. 

“With her rich, 30-year history at the FDA, we have no doubt that her knowledge of the animal food industry will serve the agency well as it looks to modernize its regulatory processes to keep up with scientific advances in animal nutrition.” 

The Pet Food Institute (PFI) said her long experience within the FDA “provides her the experience she needs to support and lead science-based regulations to ensure safe food and drugs for America’s pets.”