Andrew Shao named Herbalife's VP global product science and safety

LOS ANGELES — Direct-to-consumer distributor Herbalife on Wednesday named longtime Council for Responsible Nutrition executive Andrew Shao to the post of VP global product science and safety, effective March 7.

Shao will be responsible for assuring that all products sold by Herbalife are safe and meet regulatory safety requirements, and that all product claims are scientifically supportable, ensuring Herbalife's leadership position in the industry. Shao will report to Bill Frankos, former FDA director, division of dietary supplements programs, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, who joined the company last April.

Before serving at CRN, Shao was a senior scientist at General Nutrition Corp. He is the author or co-author of more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts, and is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, the American Society for Quality, the Institute of Food Technologists and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is the 2010 recipient of the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Alumni Association Award in the Leadership Category for his work within the field of nutrition.

Shao holds a PhD in nutritional biochemistry and a master's degree in human nutrition science from Tufts University, as well as a bachelor's degree in biology from Brandeis University.