Lord Rooker was involved in setting up the Agency in the late 1990s when he was a minister at MAFF – the now defunct Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
“I believe it is vital we have an independent, non-ministerial department responsible for food safety, which is open and transparent. I am very excited about my new role and look forward to joining the Agency, which bases its work on sound science and puts the interests of consumers first,” he said.
Lord Rooker takes up his new duties on 27 July.
Tim Smith, chief executive of the FSA, said he “brings with him a wealth of expertise that will help us continue the good work overseen by Dame Deirdre on behalf of consumers in achieving our twin objectives of safe food and healthy eating for all.”