Food Safety Matters

Ep. 1. Dave Theno: "No one cooks their salad"

David M. Theno, Ph.D., is currently CEO of Gray Dog Partners, Inc., a Del Mar, a California-based technical consulting business specializing in food safety, food manufacturing, restaurant operations, supply chain management and strategic planning.

Theno is most widely known for the role he assumed with Jack in the Box (JIB) after the fast-food chain experienced a tragic and massive foodborne illness outbreak in 1993. He joined the team as JIB's senior vice president and chief food safety officer, developing a comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan for the chain, as well as a finished product testing protocol that initially irked his former meat industry colleagues.

Theno also held previous food safety and quality management roles with Foster Farms, Kellogg’s, Armour Food Company and Peter Eckrich & Sons, Inc. He holds a B.Sc. in zoology and science journalism from Iowa State University and earned both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in food microbiology and animal sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

We regret to share that Dave Theno passed away unexpectedly as a result of a swimming accident on June 20, 2017. Dave's generous offer to have listeners call him was 100% genuine -- and an example of the important role of mentor that he so completely embodied. You can read more about how the industry remembered Dave Theno in the tribute in our August/September 2017 issue.

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In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dave Theno about:

His evolution from zoology and veterinary medicine to food safety
The value of knowing your food safety metrics
The importance of effective communication in food science
Tips and advice for the new generation of food safety professionals
Dave's thoughts on industry collaboration and whether food companies should be sharing best practices
Find out what Dave carries in his briefcase as a daily reminder of the vital food safety work he does
Dave's thoughts on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the newly appointed Agriculture Secretary, as well as Dave's offer to President Donald Trump
What the future of food safety really requires to improve