Wisconsin Ag Connection - Ingham Steps Down as Leader of DATCP's Food Safety Division

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Ingham Steps Down as Leader of DATCP's Food Safety Division
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/30/2010

The state's top official in charge of regulating raw milk policies is resigning from his position. Steven Ingham--who has been serving as the administrator of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture's food safety division since December 2008--is going back to his previous job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he spent 15 years as a professor and Extension food safety specialist.

Ingham's agency is responsible for licensing and inspecting dairy farms and dairy plants, grocery stores and delicatessens, and food processing plants. But after the raw milk issue flared up last fall and ended with the governor vetoing legislation to legalize the sales of unpasteurized dairy products, his roll at DATCP became difficult.

Ingham was often the person testifying on behalf of the state during hearings on the issue. He was personally against the controversial raw milk bill, and spent many hours trying to explain the pros-and-cons to producers in the industry.

Meanwhile, the ag department is now in the process of finding a replacement for Ingham's position. His last day at the food safety division is July 7.

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