IAlfred Almanza, Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety and Acting Administrator.

WASHINGTON – Alfred Almanza was recently appointed Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety. He also will simultaneously serve as Acting Administrator of an agency of 10,000 employees.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) launched the Public Health Information System (PHIS) during his tenure. PHIS is a modern repository for all data about public health trends and food safety violations at the more than 6,000 FSIS-regulated plants across the United States. He also is credited with spearheading the development of the new proposed poultry slaughter rule that USDA believes will reduce a minimum of 5,000 illnesses from Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Almanza began his FSIS career in 1978 as a food inspector in a small slaughter plant in Dalhart, Texas. During his 36-year career with FSIS, Almanza has served in a variety of roles within the agency, including Labor Management specialist, District Manager of the agency’s Dallas District Office, and ultimately Administrator of FSIS.

"His experiences in the field and headquarters have made him extraordinarily qualified to lead the agency," USDA said.