WASHINGTON — Michael R. Taylor has been named senior adviser to the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He previously worked for the F.D.A. in roles such as litigating attorney and deputy commissioner for policy.

"I am pleased to welcome Mike Taylor back to the F.D.A.," said Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of food and drugs. "His expertise and leadership on food safety issues will help the agency to develop and implement the prevention-based strategy we need to ensure the safety of the food we eat."

Mr. Taylor will work to assess current food program challenges and opportunities, identify capacity needs and regulatory priorities, develop plans for allocating fiscal year 2010 resources, develop the F.D.A.’s budget request for fiscal year 2011, and plan implementation of the new food safety legislation.

In addition to his previous work at the F.D.A., he has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as administrator for the Food Safety and Inspection Service and as acting undersecretary for food safety. He also has worked in academic and research settings on the challenges facing the nation’s food safety system and ways to address them.