Claire Sand Ph.D.

Claire Sand, Ph.D. is a global packaging leader with 40 years of experience in food science and packaging. As founder of Packaging Technology and Research LLC, her mission is to enable a more sustainable food system by advancing innovations that extend food shelf life and reduce waste.

Dr. Sand specializes in leading cross-functional teams, developing technology strategies, and creating implementation roadmaps for complex packaging challenges across the value chain. With over 150 publications to her credit, she is a regular contributor to leading food science and packaging publications and has held adjunct faculty positions at Michigan State University and Cal Poly.

 

Her industry recognition includes IFT Fellow status and the Riester-Davis-Brody Lifetime Achievement Award in Food Packaging. She serves on numerous editorial boards, authored The Packaging Value Chain, and co-chairs PACfoodwaste, a collaborative initiative addressing food waste through packaging innovation. Dr. Sand's career spans leadership roles at General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Safeway, and Total Quality Marketing, with international experience in Germany, Colombia, and Thailand across R&D, market research, and commercialization. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota and both M.S. and B.S. degrees in Packaging from Michigan State University.

 

Articles

ARTICLES

burger inside its' package

Promising Practices are Being Used to Tackle PFAS in Food Packaging

Packaging suppliers, brands, retailers, and post-consumer package waste handlers are focused on adding value by mitigating PFAS in packaging
Claire Sand Ph.D.

Brands, retailers, and post-consumer package handlers are focused on adding value with PFAS-free packaging. This article discusses how PFAS alternatives are gaining prominence, with PFAS-free packaging entering the food packaging industry ahead of schedule.


Read More
packaging

In Pursuit of Clean Packaging with No Chemicals of Concern

The food industry is just beginning to address PFAS derivatives as EPA has done, but it is making slow progress
Claire Sand Ph.D.

A high level of commitment and resources is needed in the pursuit of clean packaging. This article covers the background of the issue, addresses why action is needed now, and uses per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates as examples of the complexities. It also covers recommendations for brands and packaging converters.


Read More

Never miss the latest news and trends shaping the food safety industry

Newsletters | Website | FSM Features Collection

JOIN TODAY!