New food safety chief appointed at Maple Leaf Foods

by Wordsnark | November 5, 2008 at 10:08 am

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Maple Leaf Foods, the original source of the deadly listeriosis outbreak this summer in Canada, has appointed a new safety officer to oversee food safety and quality programs for the company.

The Maple Leaf appointee, Dr. Randall Huffman, is currently head of the American Meat Institute, a US-based trade association of meat processing firms and industry suppliers.

In a news release issued 5 November 2008, Maple Leaf Foods described the appointment without reference to the incidents of listeria contamination at its processing facilities.

Maple Leaf Foods (MFI: TSX) today announced the appointment of Dr. Randall Huffman to the position of Chief Food Safety Officer for Maple Leaf Foods. Dr Huffman will assume this position effective January 5, 2009, reporting to Michael H. McCain, President and CEO.
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"Dr. Huffman brings vast scientific and industry knowledge and experience to Maple Leaf in global food safety best practices," said Michael McCain, President and CEO. "He will drive continuous improvement in our protocols, assets, and human resource strategies that will reflect the latest research and highest standards globally."

As Chief Food Safety Officer, Dr. Huffman will have overall responsibility for leading Maple Leaf's food safety and quality programs across the Company. This will involve identifying and assessing global best operating practices, technologies, ingredients and resources that support Maple Leaf's leadership in food safety and quality assurance. He will also support the establishment of a Food Safety Advisory Council, a team of experts who will increase the Company's access to global knowledge and expertise in areas of food safety, microbiology and public education.