Richard Allen Raymond

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Richard Allen Raymond is an American public health official who served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 2005 to 2008. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the policies and programs of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the public health agency in the USDA responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

Early Life and Education

Richard Allen Raymond was born in Nebraska. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Career

Before joining the USDA, Raymond had a distinguished career in public health and medicine. He served as the Chief Medical Officer for the state of Nebraska and was the Director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In these roles, he was responsible for overseeing public health initiatives and policies within the state.

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety

In 2005, Raymond was appointed as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety by President George W. Bush. During his tenure, he focused on improving the safety of the nation's food supply through various initiatives and regulatory measures. He worked on enhancing the inspection processes and implementing new technologies to detect and prevent foodborne illnesses.

Raymond also played a key role in the development of the Public Health Information System (PHIS), a modernized data analytics system designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of FSIS inspections and food safety measures.

Contributions to Food Safety

Richard Allen Raymond's contributions to food safety include advocating for stronger food safety regulations and promoting public awareness about foodborne illnesses. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure a comprehensive approach to food safety.

Post-Government Career

After leaving the USDA in 2008, Raymond continued to be active in the field of public health and food safety. He has served as a consultant and advisor to various organizations and has been involved in efforts to improve food safety standards and practices.

Personal Life

Richard Allen Raymond resides in Nebraska with his family. He remains active in public health advocacy and continues to contribute to discussions on food safety and public health policies.

See Also

• Food Safety and Inspection Service
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Public Health Information System
• Foodborne illness

External Links

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Agriculture.