A veteran consumer advocate and public health official, Dr. Peter Lurie, a physician by training, is the new executive director and president of the consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest. Lurie will succeed Michael Jacobson, a co-founder of CSPI in 1971, said the watchdog group, which is suing the FDA over its delay of menu labeling.
As part of the transition to new leadership, Margo Wootan was named CSPI vice president for nutrition. Previously, she was director of nutrition policy. Jacobson will remain on the CSPI board and will serve as the nonprofit’s senior scientist.
Most recently, Lurie was FDA associate commissioner for public health strategy and analysis. Before joining FDA, he was deputy director of the health research group of Public Citizen from 2000-09. During eight years at FDA, Lurie worked on issues ranging from antibiotic resistance and arsenic in rice to international tobacco control. Lisa Heinzerling, who chairs the CSPI board, said Lurie “is a first-rate scientist and public-interest advocate who will continue and expand upon the great work CSPI has done to ensure the safety, labeling, and healthfulness of our food supply.”