I Want to Meet Frank Yiannas! Food Safety Rock Star

When I used to be in college I was never satisfied with just the theoretical part. I had a special interest in Food Safety which made me eager to learn more things.

In this journey, I found out that when it comes to food safety you can’t miss the legendary Frank Yiannas!

I got inspired by his introduction of blockchain technology in Walmart which enhanced food safety and traceability, I started reading his book Food Safety = Behaviour: 30 Proven Techniques to Enhance Employee Compliance.

The title was so catchy that thousands of questions popped out of my head!

I thought food safety was all about audits and standards, never even thought of food safety and behavioural science as having an important relationship until I read this book.

I must say, if you are from a food industry background this book will be eye-opening for sure!

I am so inspired to join this industry and focus on Food Safety.  A notable thing the author mentioned in the book–the reason for the absence of human behavioural science in the food safety profession–is the over dependency on the food sciences alone which is confined to testing and inspection by the food professionals.

True, right?

The author deliberately added the quote given by late psychologist Abraham Maslow

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail

Just think about it!

With this quote the author is making the food professionals understand that food safety isn’t just confined to food science alone, it’s beyond that!

I would like to add my suggestion to readers. To any professor or academic reading this article; Can you can include behavioural science courses in the syllabus of food science/ food technology degree?

Imagine an army of food professionals equipped with behavioural science ready to join the food industry graduating every year.  Consequently leading to the enhancement of food safety in the food industry!!

We all win!

The author has mentioned 30 behavioural studies supported by research in the book which can be applicable to the food industry as an easy way to understand.

As I have already mentioned, Frank Yiannas had the ‘out of the box’ thinking which lead him to write this book as well as the implementation of blockchain technology in Walmart.

I dream of getting the chance to meet him somewhere someday because I am confident that each minute spent talking with him would make me fall in love with food safety even more!

About Frank:

In addition to working for well-known global brands, Frank Yiannas is the Past President of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), past Vice Chair of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and recipient of the 2007 NSF Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Food Safety.

In 2008, Frank was given the Collaboration Award by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, in 2015, he received the Food Industry Hero Award by STOP Foodborne Illness for his dedication and service to advancing food safety and the public.

As a frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Frank is known for his ability to build partnerships and for his innovative approaches to food safety.

Frank is the author of the books

• Food Safety Culture, Creating a Behavior-based Food Safety Management System, and
• Food Safety = Behavior, 30 Proven Techniques to Enhance Employee Compliance

Both books are published by Springer Scientific.

Frank is an adjunct professor at Michigan State University in the Master of Science in Food Safety Program.  He is also a Registered Microbiologist with the American Academy of Microbiology.  He received his BS in Microbiology from the University of Central Florida and his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of South Florida www.foodsafetyculture.com

Final word, Frank is a rock star!

Authors: Debomitra Dey & Soniya Katekar

We are a team of two food tech grads now serving in the food processing industry, and working towards our undying passion for FOOD!!

The aim of building this platform is to reach out all food grads and professionals to create a network for bridging the gap between academics and the industry; consumers and the industry.

Our love for our job and passion is the result of The Food Tech Club Team, so let’s work together and inspire the world and fill in our inquisitive minds!! Shout out to the Food Tech Community!!

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