Dr. Scott Brooks is the owner of River Run Consulting, LLC, providing food safety, quality, scientific and regulatory affairs services for food and beverage companies in manufacturing, food service and retail. He is the former senior vice president of Quality, Food Safety, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for Kraft Foods. Scott joined Kraft from PepsiCo, where he held the position of vice president of Global Food Safety, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Policy. He joined PepsiCo from Yum! Brands where he was Director of Global Food Safety and Quality Assurance. Scott also held senior quality, food safety and regulatory positions at Food Safety Net Services and at E&J Gallo. He started his career in food safety and quality with the U.S. Air Force as a public health officer and director of Air Force food safety programs.

Scott has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University, as well as a Master’s degree in Food Science/Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine/Epidemiology, both from the University of California-Davis. He has served on numerous scientific boards and food industry advisory committees and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. Scott is Board Certified in Veterinary Preventive Medicine and is currently the Past President of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine where he influences national farm-to-table food safety policy and systems with colleagues from government, academia and industry.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Scott Brooks about:

• His evolution from veterinary medicine to food safety
• How Dave Theno influenced his career pathway
• His time in the Air Force, including his food safety and bioterrorism responsibilities as a public health officer
• Working with Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut
• How the industry's focus on food safety changed after 9/11
• Challenges food companies are faced with while balancing new regulations with ongoing requirements
• Tips to prepare for food plant inspections
• Advice on how to advocate for more (or better) food safety resources
• Top challenges facing the food safety industry
• Differences between food safety at the corporate level vs. at the plant level

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News Mentioned in This Episode
USDA Food Safety Leader Al Almanza Retires
Mexican Papayas Triggers U.S. Salmonella Outbreak
Chipotle Customers Report Foodborne Illness Symptoms Online

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