Obama selects Margaret Hamburg to head FDA.

So, Obama has announced the nomination of former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg as FDA commissioner. He’s also selected Baltimore Health Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein as her deputy. The president believes that the food safety system in the U.S. is a “hazard to public health,” and is in bad need of revision.

Obama cited a string of food safety problems in recent years. Some examples include contaminated spinach in 2006, salmonella in peppers and possibly tomatoes last year; and this year, a massive salmonella outbreak in peanut products which sickened more than 600 people and is suspected of causing nine deaths.

The peanut recall was one of the largest in U.S. history, and food contamination cases have tripled since the ’90s.

Underfunding and understaffing at the FDA has left the agency unable to conduct annual inspections at nearly enough of the 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses in the country.

Hamburg’s appointment requires Senate confirmation, while Sharfstein does not.

(via: USA Today)

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Obama Appoints New Leadership at FDA

Barack Obama makes his way up the front steps of the Capitol Building. (Pete Souza)

All eyes are fixed on Washington D.C. this week, as we prepare to welcome in our 44th president, Barack Obama. What might be more fascinating than the poignant speech he’ll make to what is predicted to be the largest gathering of people in the western hemisphere ever, is what Michelle will be wearing, and what the new first couple will be eating.

This morning on the Today Show, Chef Shannon Shaffer of Design Cuisine shared the menu and recipes for the inaugural luncheon, taking place in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall with 230 guests. After leaving the formal inauguration ceremony, where temperatures are expected to be in the 20s, the newly sworn-in president, his family and members of congress will warm up around this beautiful and decadent feast.

Feel free to prepare your own home version of this inaugural meal, with the recipes from all three courses. We’ve also noted the wine pairings being served at the luncheon.

First Course

Seafood Stew. This hearty blend of lobster, scallops, shrimp, cod, root vegetables and seasonings will definitely warm the chilly president. Paired with Duckhorn Vineyards’ 2007 Sauvignon Blanc.

Main Course

Duck Breast with Cherry Chutney. A well seasoned duck breast is served with a glaze made of fresh bing cherries, hot pepper flakes and golden raisins.

Statuary Hall in the Capitol Building will be the backdrop for Obama's luncheon.

Herb Roasted Pheasant with Wild Rice Stuffing. Wild long grain rice is prepared with rosemary, thyme and sage, then stuffed with carrots and onions inside the roasted pheasant breast.

Side dishes for the main course include Molasses Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Winter Vegetables. Wine pairing for this course is the Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir.

Dessert Course

The inaugural luncheon will be completed with a Cinnamon Apple Spongecake, served along with Korbel’s Natural “Special Inauguration Cuvee” California Champagne.

Planning an inuguration party that’s less gourmet? Try Barack Obama’s personal chili recipe, or the Barack Obama Pizza Burger.

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Barack Obama’s Inaugural Luncheon Recipes

Sasha Obama, the younger daughter, attends the lower school, where menu items this week included:

• Snacks like zucchini bread or apples and cheese
• French Dip with Au Jus
• Chicken Fajitas
• Spicy Organic Black Bean Tortillas
• Yellow Rice
• Roasted Veggie Melts
• Steamed Broccoli
• Cinnamon Orange Slices

Malia Obama, the oldest daughter, attends the upper school. Her lunch choices were much broader, and included:

• Tomato Basil Soup
• Market Pasta
• Salad du jour
• Organic Spinach Salad
• Philly Cheesesteak
• All Natural Nacho Bar
• Spicy Organic Black Bean Nachos
• Roasted Local Squash
• Organic Baked French Fries
• Pineapple Gratin

Hopefully other schools across the country will take a queue from the lunch menu of the new First Children and work toward incorporating much healthier school lunches, rather than the processed, sodium-rich foods currently being served.

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Sasha and Malia Obama’s Healthy School Lunch Menu

Kristof argues that the Department of Agriculture focuses on representing the farm lobby instead of people’s nutritional health needs.

The issue is seen as having such importance that a group of 90 notable figures in the world of sustainable agriculture and food have issued a letter to the incoming Obama administration:

“From rising childhood and adult obesity to issues of food safety, global warming and air and water pollution, we believe our next Secretary of Agriculture must have a vision that calls for: recreating regional food systems, supporting the growth of humane, natural and organic farms, and protecting the environment, biodiversity and the health of our children while implementing policies that place conservation, soil health, animal welfare and worker’s rights as well as sustainable renewable energy near the top of their agenda.”

For more information on what sustainable agriculture entails, you can read more at the Department of Agriculture’s website.

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Should There be a ‘Secretary of Food’ for the Obama Administration?

THIS is going to be our President!

The Internet is abuzz with recently released photos of a shirtless president-elect Barack Obama as he swims in Hawaii. I just came across the buzz and my first reaction was: WOW!

From Clinton jogging to McDonald’s to George W. Bush clocking a few miles, I can’t really say that a president in recent history has made me take a second look. Until now.

Obama’s chest might soon make headlines that are on par to that of what swimmer Michael Phelps experienced this past summer as women of all ages drooled over his beautifully-defined abdominals and the rest of his jaw-dropping 6′ 4″ package.

Ogling and drool aside, let’s look at these photos of president-elect Obama with hope and inspiration. Given that in this country, we have the highest rates of obesity of any other country in the world and given that American childhood obesity is reaching near epidemic levels, how fabulous and motivating is it that we have such a fit president?

Let’s hope that as this pictures of a bathing-suit clad Obama surface all over the Internet and appear in magazines and newspapers, that we might muster up a bit more dedication and discipline to stick to our 2009 New Years resolutions of losing some weight, changing our relationship to food and moving a bit more. As we near one of the most pivotal and ground-breaking Januaries in all of American history,  I believe that Yes, We Can.

Happy New Year.

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Can a Shirtless President-elect Obama Inspire Others to be Fit?

The CheapHealthyGood blog has broken down the culinary issues and gives us the lowdown on where Obama and McCain stand.

Who has the most substance when it comes to sustenance? Most of the post is about serious matters. But it also examines the candidates’ favorite dishes. Let’s look at the fun stuff – their favorite foods! You can find all the source material to verify the authenticity of these assertions at the CheapHealthyGood blog.

Favorite Foods:

McCain - Apparently he isn’t too keen on watching his waistline, his favorites include enchiladas, pizza, BBQ and shrimp.

Obama - It looks as though this candidate is more in tune with a healthy diet, preferring to eat vegetables like spinach and broccoli, nuts, Dentyne Ice gum, and handmade milk chocolates from Fran’s Chocolates in Seattle.

Least Favorite Foods:

McCain - Says he doesn’t “do too well with vegetables.”

Obama - Skips salt and vinegar potato chips and mayo, will eat beets and asparagus only “if no other vegetables are available,” and drinks water over soda.

When they do indulge, how do they burn it off? Take a look here and find out which presidential candidate is more fit.

related: Michael Pollan Says the Next President Will Have to Focus on Food, and He’s Got Just the Policy

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Obama’s Diet vs. McCain’s Diet