Jeff Kuehm
Experience
After 40 years with large corporations (Ralston Purina - Protein Division, Anheuser-Busch - Corp. R&D, and PepsiCo - Global R&D), Jeff has decided to retire and join the world of consulting to share his experience and passion for food safety. Jeff received both his BS and MS degrees in Biology from the University of Memphis. He started his career in the food industry at Ralston Purina's soy protein plant in Memphis, TN as part of the Quality Assurance team. Jeff then moved to St. Louis, MO to work for Anheuser-Busch's Corporate Research & Development Dept. as a Microbiologist supporting all food, beverage, and food service divisions. He then returned to Ralston Purina as Director of Microbiology for Protein Technologies International. Jeff joined Frito-Lay/PepsiCo at their Plano, TX HQ in 1996 as R&D Microbiologist and ended his career there as Director of R&D Food Safety for PepsiCo North America Foods and Global Snacks.
Approach
Large or small, all companies face times where their resources are stretched thin, they could use some additional SME support, or they just need a new set eyes to assess a situation. Jeff takes a practical approach to these situations using a data driven, risk based approach to drive solutions. It all starts with a conversation to outline the scope, review current status, and then start to jointly craft a plan of action to tackle it.
Career Notes
- PCQI (Certified Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance), 2016
- HACCP Certified (National Food Processors Association), 1997
- Co-Instructor, Food Safety by Design, IFT Workshops, 2000, 2002, 2006
- Coordinator & Instructor, PepsiCo Sanitary Design Workshops, 2000-2005
- Coordinator & Instructor, PepsiCo Food Safety by Design Workshop, 2012
- Co-author, “Salmonella of Salmonella In Low-Moisture Foods”, GMA, 2009
- Co-author, chapter on Salty Snack Foods, J.B Gutler et al, (eds), The Microbiological Safety of Low Water Activity Foods and Spices, Springer, 2014
- Co-author, “Listeria monocytogenes Guidance on Environmental Monitoring and Corrective Actions in At-risk Foods”, GMA, 2018
- Board of Directors, University of Georgia Center for Food Safety, 2003-2015
- Industry associations: Food Industry Microbiology Round Table (FIMRT); Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA); Institute of Food Technologists (IFT); International Association of Food Protection (IAFP)