GFSI is Accepting Applications to Join Steering Committee

PARIS — The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has announced that applications are now open to all those eligible to join the GFSI Steering Committee. This round of applications and elections comes as part of the new Governance Rules published in 2021 in line with GFSI’s move to a Coalition of Action of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). The governance rules stipulate that a short window of application will be opened quarterly for nomination and election of eligible individuals to the GFSI Steering Committee.

The GFSI Steering Committee is made up of senior food safety leaders from both retailer and manufacturer members of the CGF Coalition of Action on Food Safety. Each member is nominated directly by their company’s CEO and commits to supporting the three strategic priorities of GFSI — harmonizing and benchmarking food safety certification programs, building food safety capabilities and fostering public-private partnerships. Current Steering Committee members are:

• Barbara Masters, Tyson Foods
• Cliona Murphy, PepsiCo
• David Rasmussen, Kraft Heinz
• Howard Popoola, The Kroger Co.
• Hugo Byrnes, Ahold Delhaize
• Kazuaki Miyagishima, Aeon
• Mark Fryling, General Mills
• Michael McDonald, Mars, Incorporated
• Monique Pellegrino, Danone
• Natalie Dyenson, Dole Food Company
• Natalia Sommer, Magnit
• Natasha Matyasova, Nestlé
• Nelum Vithana, Cargills
• Pierre de Ginestel, Auchan
• Ray Bowe, Musgrave
• Roy Kirby, Mondelez International
• Sara Mortimore, Walmart
• Sean Leighton, Cargill
• Tom Wiester, Starbucks
• Tracy Burton, Unilever
• Vaneska Mattos, Loblaw Companies Limited
• Zoltan Syposs, The Coca-Cola Company

“Without the dedication of the individuals on the GFSI Steering Committee — some of the greatest minds in food safety — GFSI would certainly not be where it is today," GFSI Director Erica Sheward said. "There is still much to do, and we need to ensure we have the most driven food safety leaders to take on the challenges ahead. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be able to broaden participation in the GFSI SteerCo by offering routine opportunities for new members to join us.”

Applications will be open until Jan. 31, 2022. To learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process, consult the GFSI Governance Rules (pages 13-14) and fill out the application form here.