WASHINGTON – The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) named Roberta Wagner its next senior vice president, regulatory and scientific affairs.

She succeeds Joseph Scimeca, Ph.D., who announced his retirement earlier this year. IDFA said Wagner will start her new position with the organization this summer.

In her most recent role, Wagner served as vice president of regulatory and technical affairs for the Consumer Brands Association, formerly the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

“Roberta is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable regulatory affairs experts in the US food sector today, and IDFA is so pleased to welcome her to our team on behalf of our IDFA members and US dairy,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA’s president and chief executive officer. “Roberta comes to IDFA with deep technical knowledge, relationships built over decades and the trust and confidence of our members and stakeholders. I am confident that with Roberta’s leadership on regulatory issues, IDFA is better positioned than ever to make a difference for our members.”

Wagner’s 33 years in public service include roles as assistant administrator of the Office of Policy and Program Development at the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Field Operations at FSIS. She also spent more than 25 years at the US Food and Drug Administration, taking on a number of roles, including associate commissioner for Food Safety Modernization Act implementation.

“I am excited to be joining the IDFA team and for the opportunity to advocate for food safety, labeling and nutrition policies that are science based, practical to implement, and that facilitate innovation and growth in the extremely important and diverse dairy industry,” Wagner said.

IDFA shared that Scimeca will remain with the organization through the summer as Wagner transitions into her new role.

“I couldn’t be happier in turning over the reins of our regulatory team to Roberta,” Scimeca said. “I’ve known Roberta for many years, during her tenure with FSIS and with FDA, as well as her most recent time in the industry. I am confident that our team will continue to be in good hands under her leadership, and IDFA will continue to provide value for our members and the US dairy industry.”

The regulatory and scientific affairs office works with IDFA members, dealing with matters in food safety, food defense, federal standards of identity, labeling, nutrition policy, sustainability and environmental and worker safety. What’s more, the team oversees IDFA’s engagement with the FDA, USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and globally with the UN agencies and the Codex Alimentarius.