Michael Hansen

Senior Staff Scientist
Expertise in: Food, Arsenic, , Label GMOs, Meat Without Drugs, Organics

Contact

(914) 378-2452
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
United States

Mike has been sharing his scientific expertise with Consumers Union for more than 20 years. A biologist and ecologist who did his Ph.D. in the techniques of Integrated Pest Management, he has identified many an insect for concerned CU staff. He develops policy, testifies before government agencies, speaks widely at conferences in the US and abroad, and talks frequently to media on critical food safety and environmental health issues including mad cow disease, genetic engineering, and pesticide use.

Download a copy of Michael Hansen’s complete bio (PDF).

Content From This Expert

CU comments on the National Organic Standards Board’s Spring 2018 meeting
April 4, 2018
Joint letter to USDA seeking public meeting and greater deliberation on hog inspection proposal
March 15, 2018
CU Comments on the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate
November 15, 2017
CU comments on the National Organic Standards Board’s Fall 2017 meeting
October 11, 2017
Consumers Union comments on USDA proposed reorganization
October 11, 2017
Consumers Union comments to California Department of Food and Agriculture on Proposed Rule Concerning Sales of Restricted Livestock Drugs and Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs
August 22, 2017
Joint letter to FDA urging disclosure of names and locations of retailers selling recalled food
August 22, 2017
Consumer Union comments on USDA/FSIS proposal to allow chicken exports from China
August 15, 2017
CU comments to USDA on catfish inspection coverage by the Food Safety and Inspection Service
July 17, 2017
CU comments on USDA questions about the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Program
July 17, 2017
CU Comments to FDA on Regulation of Intentionally Altered Genomic DNA in Animals
June 19, 2017
CU letter to Senate Agriculture Committee urging a qualified nominee for USDA Chief Scientist role
June 16, 2017
Comments of Consumers Union on the Agricultural Marketing Service Proposed Rule on Addition of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Requirements for Venison
April 21, 2017
CU comments on the National Organic Standards Board’s Spring 2017 meeting
March 30, 2017
Oregon hearing highlights threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs
March 16, 2017
Joint petition by health and safety advocates to the FDA for a ban on lead acetate in hair dye
February 4, 2017
CU comments to FDA on lead levels in lipstick and other cosmetics
February 21, 2017
CU comments on the proposed update to the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology
November 1, 2016
Ex parte comment to FCC on petition by Anthem, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, WellCare, and others regarding order in Telephone Consumer Protection Act
October 25, 2016
CU comments to USDA on non-GE guidance for labels on meat products
October 24, 2016
Public interest group comments to FDA in support of styrene ban
October 18, 2016
CU supports petition to ban phthalates in food packaging
September 20, 2016
Consumers Union Opposes New Senate GMO Labeling Proposal
June 23, 2016
Consumers Union: National Academies of Sciences report on GE Crops Notes Broad Reasons for GMO Labeling
May 17, 2016
FDA Issues New Rule Requiring Drug Companies to Report Amount of Antibiotics Sold For Each Animal Species Used For Meat Production
May 11, 2016
Testimony by Michael Hansen in support of Connecticut bill HB 5300
March 3, 2016
Cost of labeling genetically engineered food will be minimal
February 22, 2016
CU comments before Rhode Island committee on GMO food labeling
February 9, 2016
Testimony before NH House Environment and Agriculture supporting HB 1674, labeling of GE foods
January 26, 2016
CU comments on FDA’s Draft Guidance on Voluntary Labeling of GMO Salmon
January 26, 2016
CU comments on antimicrobial use and resistance data collection
November 30, 2015
CU comments to FDA on how the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology
November 13, 2015
Consumers Union “Deeply Disappointed” by FDA Move to Approve GE Salmon without Requiring Labeling
November 19, 2015
Groups call for consumer representation at Senate committee hearing on biotechnology
October 16, 2015
Testimony by Michael Hansen in support of Massachusetts bill H 3242 to require labeling of GE food
September 22, 2015
Consumers Union calls on FDA to ban Lindane for head lice treatment
September 2, 2015
CU comments on FDA’s Proposed Rule on Antimicrobial Animal Drug Sales and Distribution Reporting
August 18, 2015
Monsanto, RoundUp and Junk Science
July 9, 2015
New study: Probable cancer-causing weed-killer used on GMO crops
June 12, 2015
GMO foods: What you need to know
February 26, 2015
Consumers Union urges Congress to oppose bill to prevent states from labeling GMO foods
June 11, 2015
CU comments on USDA’s proposed Salmonella and Campylobacter standards in certain chicken and turkey products
May 26, 2015
CU testifies on a bill that will amend Maine’s genetically modified food products labeling law
April 30, 2015
Consumers Union troubled by FDA report that shows increasing antibiotics use in animals
April 10, 2015
CU testimony supporting Rhode Island bill requiring labeling of GE food
April 9, 2015
CU disappointed with USDA decision to allow companies to petition to use nanotechnology in organic production
March 27, 2015
CU statement on FDA evaluation of new genetically-engineered apples, potatoes
March 20, 2015
Consumers Union Hails Recount on GMO Labeling Law in Oregon, Calls Close Vote a Major Victory for Consumers
November 25, 2014
New Consumer Reports study finds GMOs in many common food products
October 7, 2014
Industry funded GMO-labeling study relies on faulty assumptions for cost estimates
June 23, 2014
CU response to Cornell study on cost of GE labeling
May 29, 2014
CU praises Vermont’s Senate for passing GMO labeling bill, would be first state in nation to enact such a law
April 15, 2014
CU Testimony on Vermont H.112, a bill to require the labeling of genetically engineered food
March 19, 2014
CU testimony on Maryland SB 778, a bill to require labeling of genetically engineered food
March 11, 2014
CU encouraged by close vote in Washington state on genetically engineered food labeling initiative
November 15, 2013
CU scientist to discuss GMOs at annual Grafton County Farm Bureau meeting
October 17, 2013
Comments on the USDA’s proposal to require labeling of beef products that have been needle-or blade-tenderized
October 9, 2013
National groups join Illinois consumers to rally for GMO labels
September 17, 2013
Testimony on SB 1666, Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act, Before the Senate
September 17, 2013
Testimony on New Hampshire bill HB660, requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods
September 3, 2013
Consumer Groups Urge Federal Agencies to Support Global Ban on Animal Drugs Banned in U.S.
August 21, 2013
Re: U.S. position at CCRVDF on Veterinary Drugs including DES banned for use in the United States
August 20, 2013
Testimony on A.3525-A, a bill to require the labeling of food produced from GE organisms
July 30, 2013
Consumers Union statement on new long term study of feeding GE grains to pigs
June 11, 2013
Testimony before Massachusetts Joint Public Health committee supporting GE labeling
June 11, 2013
CU hails historic Connecticut legislature vote on labeling genetically engineered food
June 5, 2013
Comments on labeling of flavored milks containing artificial sweeteners
May 24, 2013
CU hails historic Vermont house vote on labeling GE food
May 10, 2013
Presentation in support of H-122, a bill to require GE food labeling in Vermont
May 7, 2013
Nearly 2 million people tell FDA not to approve GE salmon
April 30, 2013
CU comments to the FDA on GE salmon environmental impact
April 26, 2013
Comments to the USDA and FSIS on HACCP Plan Reassessment for Not-Ready-To-Eat Comminuted Poultry Products
April 20, 2013
Comments to the USDA regarding Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken
April 12, 2013
Top grocery stores: We won’t sell genetically engineered seafood
March 20, 2013
Testimony on HB 6519, an Act Concerning the Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food, before the Committee on Public Health
March 15, 2013
CU to testify March 6th on GE labeling in WA state
March 5, 2013
Consumers Union to testify March 6th on GE labeling in WA state
March 5, 2013
CU expert, Michael Hansen, testifies in Washington state on genetically engineered food
February 14, 2013
CU expert to testify in Washington on GE food
February 13, 2013
EPA should ban arsenic-containing pesticides
January 24, 2013
CU: FDA’s GE salmon assessment is flawed
December 21, 2012
CU: FDA’s GE salmon assessment is flawed
December 21, 2012
CU letter to FDA to revoke approval for use of ractopamine in pork
December 4, 2012
CU letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack regarding pork safety
November 27, 2012
CU letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack regarding pork safety
November 27, 2012
CU comments to FDA on their Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on Antimicrobial Animal Drug Sales and Distribution reporting
November 26, 2012
CU Comments on FDA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Antimicrobial Animal Drug Sales and Distribution Reporting
November 26, 2012
Letter to Congress Re: CU’s “Meat on Drugs” Report
July 31, 2012
BSE Letter to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
May 1, 2012
BSE Letter to Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
May 1, 2012
CU letter to USDA regarding asking for investigation in the BSE California case
May 1, 2012
Reasons for Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
March 19, 2012
Consumers Union comments on FDA Final rule on New Animal Drugs
March 6, 2012
Cu comments on FDA Final rule on New Animal Drugs; Cephalosporin drugs; Extralabel Animal Drug Use; Order of Prohibition
March 6, 2012
Comments regarding USDA final determination on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Certain Raw Beef Products
December 21, 2011
CU comments on the National Leafy Greens Vegetable Marketing Agreement
July 28, 2011
CU comments regarding the FDA’s proposed voluntary notification procedure for GRAS substances
March 28, 2011
Country of Origin Labeling Poll
October 4, 2010
Labeling of Food Made for AquAdvantage Salmon
September 21, 2010
CU comments on Genetically Engineered Salmon
September 16, 2010
CU letter regarding FDA review of Aquavantage’s application for approval of GE salmon
September 15, 2010
CU comments on FDA Draft Guidance: the Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals
August 30, 2010
Notice on New Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in Young Chicken and Turkey Slaughter Establishments
July 13, 2010
Food Safety Poll
July 12, 2010
Letter regarding Aquavantage’s application for approval of genetically engineered salmon
September 15, 2010
Difficulties with USDA’s Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Labeling of Foods and Food Ingredients Obtained Through Certain Techniques of Genetic Modification/Genetic Engineering
April 20, 2010
Bacteria and Bagged Salads: Better Standards and Enforcement Needed
February 2, 2010
Carol L. Tucker-Foreman Testimony On Food Safety Before the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives
July 16, 2009
Letter to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland: Rescind Emergency Rule on Dairy Labeling
June 20, 2009
Cu comments to the National Organics Standards Board on Nanotechnology
April 29, 2009
Letter to USDA Re: Meat Marketing Labeling Efforts
February 11, 2009
Letter to HHS and USDA Re: Safety Risks in Infant Formula
January 9, 2009
Letter to Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas, Opposing Restrictions on Dairy Product Labels
December 1, 2008
Letter to Kansas Governor on rbGH milk labeling policy
December 1, 2008
Draft Guidance For Industry: Regulation Of Genetically Engineered Animals Containing Heritable Rdna Constructs
November 8, 2008
CU’s Comments on Interim Final Rule on Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
September 30, 2008
Comments of Consumers Union at FDA Nanotechnology Public Meeting Breakout session on Food and color additives, including food contact substances
September 8, 2008
Letter to USDA Re: Private Testing for Mad Cow Disease
June 12, 2008
Comments on House Bill 1499: Labeling of Food Containing a Product of Cloned Animals
March 18, 2008
Let’s keep Monsanto out of our milk
August 27, 2007
Letter to Senators Re: Product Safety
August 2, 2007
Letter to Committee on Agriculture Opposing a Provision that Impacts Food Safety
June 19, 2007
Comments on FDA Draft Animal Cloning Risk Assessment
April 27, 2007
Comments To U.S. Food and Drug Administration Public Meeting on Regulatory Options: Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
April 13, 2007
Comments to the USDA on Importation of Live Bovines and Products Derived from Bovines
March 9, 2007
Letter to Honorable Rosa DeLauro Re: Federal Food Safety System
February 7, 2007
Letter to Senate Re: Oppose S. 3128, Food “Uniformity” Bill
September 27, 2006
Statement to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Re: Price Gouging
May 23, 2006
Testimony Before the House Committee on Government Reform on the Regulation of Dietary Supplements: a Review of Consumer Safeguards
March 9, 2006
Substances prohibited from use in animal food and feed
December 20, 2005
Comments: “Draft Guidance for Industry: Recommendations for the Early Food Safety Evaluation of New Non‐Pesticidal Proteins Produced by New Plant Varieties Intended for Food Use”
July 17, 2005
Letter to the USDA on mad cow disease
January 14, 2005
Letter to the USDA on mad cow
January 14, 2005
Pharmaceutical Rice in California: Potential Risks to Consumers, the Environment and the California Rice Industry
July 19, 2004
Letter to USDA Re: Testing for Mad Cow Disease
April 19, 2004
Comments on Food Labeling: Health Claims; Dietary Guidance
February 25, 2004
Letter Re. Re: Petition to Suspend Use of State of Maine Quality Trademark for Milk and Milk Proteins
February 1, 2003
How genetic engineering differs from conventional breeding, hybridization, wide crosses and horizontal gene transfer
January 1, 2000