Andy is a food justice activist, who enjoys collaboration with NPOs, government and the corporate sector around issues relating to organisation design, food security, food systems, nutrition, information technology, policy and advocacy. Prior to joining FoodForward SA, he was the managing director of the Peninsula School Feeding Association for 15 years.

Andy, who holds an MPhil degree, is an ardent advocate for Food Donation Regulations for South Africa and believes that increasing access to nutritious surplus food for all South Africans improves livelihoods, can eliminate malnutrition, and promotes economic growth.

Ellen states that she is intrigued by the influence of knowledge and perceptions upon behaviour, and the impact this has on food safety. This interest spans from food handlers in the food sector through to the consumer in the domestic environment. Consequently, Ellen is involved with innovative research utilising novel research technologies regarding numerous critical areas of food safety research including, consumer food safety in the domestic setting; food safety culture and compliance in the food manufacturing industry and food service sector, and food safety education and communication in healthcare settings.

Ellen is particularly active with the International Association for Food Protection and is Past-President of the UK Association for Food Protection. Ellen’s contribution to food protection has resulted in a recognisable research profile, with over 40 published journal articles, 150 conference contributions and numerous research-based reports for the Welsh and Scottish Governments. Ellen is a BBC expert contact for issues pertaining to food safety, and she regularly contribute to TV and radio in English and Welsh. Ellen is passionate about consumer food safety outreach activities, she recently distributed 1,000 refrigerator thermometers and 1,000 cooking probes to consumers in citizen science research projects.

From 2008 to 2019, Sara was the Vice President of Product Safety, Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Land O’Lakes, Inc., the second largest agricultural cooperative in the USA, which operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food including dairy foods, animal nutrition (Purina Animal Nutrition), and in agricultural inputs.

Sara started her career with Glaxo SmithKline, working as a Research Technologist in R&D. In 1989 she joined Grand Metropolitan Foods which later became Pillsbury and subsequently was incorporated by General Mills Inc.  She stayed there for close on 19 years moving through a series of global assignments all in Food Safety and Quality,

Sara is also the co-author of many successful books and chapters on HACCP and food safety management.  She has served on the GFSI Steering Committee and as a trustee of the Royal Society for Public Health, as well as on several editorial boards.

During this time, he also held a special professorship in food safety microbiology at Wageningen University. After leaving Unilever, Dr Gorris established Food Safety Futures, a consulting firm working for international clients on food safety risk assessment, risk management, and capability building. Prior to Unilever, he served with the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture in Wageningen for eight years in food preservation innovation research.

Dr Gorris is recognized internationally for his expertise in several food safety domains, including general food microbiology, microbial physiology and ecology, food technology,  food safety risk assessment and management, food safety legislation and regulation. He has been a member of ICMSF for more than 20 years, serving twice as its secretary and as its Codex Alimentarius contact for most of that time. He shares his food safety expertise through many organizations, including FAO, WHO, JEMRA; ICMSF, IAFP, ILSI; CIFST, NZIFST; NZFSSRC. Dr Gorris is a formally registered, visiting professor in food safety microbiology at three universities in China.

Lucia was instrumental in providing guidance to the food industry on Listeria monocytogenes during and after the 2018 listeriosis outbreak and on SARS-CoV-2 related to food and food packaging safety, during the COVID-19 pandemic, from January 2020. She is in great demand by all forms of media for her expert opinions on food safety matters.

She was appointed as one of 80 authors in July 2020 for the President of South Africa’s initiative to develop a Country Report on the Impact of Government’s Decisions on the COVID-19 Pandemic. She convened and co-authored the chapter on “Agriculture and the Food Supply Chain”. 

Lucia is:

• Member of the International Commission on the Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF)
• Adjunct Professor at Central University of Technology, SA
• Past President of SAAFoST
• Past Chair of the Scientific Council of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST)
• First SA female Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology
• Co-editor of a new book “Present Knowledge in Food Safety”, published in 2023
• Invited Member of the African Union Advisory Group on Food Safety
• Technical expert and consultant for FAO and UNIDO
• First woman to be awarded the SAAFoST President’s Award in September 2021
• First person from Africa to be invited to present the Ivan Parkin lecture at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) in July 2022.

She has authored/co-authored a number of publications and chapters in books and has presented over 190 talks nationally and internationally. 

Janusz has assisted many leading listed companies as well as the CGCSA and SAAFoST with their various Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act and Regulations, Medicines and Related Substances Act and Regulations, and Consumer Protection Act submissions to various Government Departments and Parliament as well as implementation in their businesses.

Janusz is the go-to person for leading companies for food safety liability training and when food safety recalls or other food safety issues with legal consequences arise.

Her journey began in 2000 at the University of Stellenbosch, where she earned her B.Sc in Agriculture, majoring in Biochemistry, Animal Physiology, and Animal Science. Furthering her education, Liesl obtained a Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Monogastric Nutrition in 2004.

With a diverse background encompassing roles at Meadow Feeds, AFGRI Animal Feeds, and the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association, Liesl has showcased versatility and proficiency in technical advisory, feed formulation, and operational management. As the Technical & Regulatory Manager at AFMA from 2015 to 2023, Liesl played a pivotal role in liaising with government bodies, drafting regulatory frameworks, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Her efforts were instrumental in the development of new feed legislation and regulatory frameworks in South Africa, underscoring her commitment to advancing the industry.

A dedicated advocate for continuous learning, Liesl’s involvement in various local and international memberships, including the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), underscores her commitment to professional development.  She has also recently been elected as Director of the South African Grain Laboratory and is involved in numerous agricultural forums and steering committees.

Her mantra, “Through challenge lies our opportunities,” encapsulates her relentless pursuit of excellence and armed with a passion for driving positive change, Liesl believes that unlocking the power of collaboration amongst value chain partners plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of safe, nutritious food for all.

Lida has her roots in the dairy industry with the late Ina Jordaan from DSA (Dairy Standards agency) as her mentor. She also received most of her food safety training from Food Focus – lead auditor course by Linda Jackson in 2006. In addition to this, the five day HACCP course by Cobus Brink also through Food Focus.

Gathering from the above, she has had her fair share of audits the past 30+ years.

Cindy was appointed as Technical Manager for the Produce Division, Johannesburg, Gauteng in 1996. Further she completed a Marketing Management Diploma from Damelin in 1997 and was then promoted to Senior Buyer in the Produce Division – a position held for 3 years.

In 2001, Cindy was further promoted to National Produce Technical Manager, managing a team of food technologists on a national level for the Produce Division.

In November 2004, Cindy was appointed as National Technical Manager for Foods, managing the technical teams from all food divisions including Butchery, Bakery, Delicatessen, Produce and Corporate Brands. This position was short-lived, as Cindy was then moved back to the Corporate Brands Division in July 2005 as the General Manager.

In March 2006, Cindy was appointed as the Corporate Brands, General Manager.

In 2007 Pick n Pay embarked on the single biggest rebranding exercise in the history of South African retail. As the company evolved into the new and dynamic brand that we have come to know today, so too did the Housebrand products. This saw the launch of PnP, PnP No Name and a number of exciting new additions in terms of the Organic and Green environmentally friendly products. In October 2011, they launched the PnP Finest range, the premium brand in the three-tier programme.

In January 2014, Cindy was appointed as the General Manager for the Technical division responsible for Food Safety, Product Specifications and Product Quality for all Pick n Pay Branded Products and safety and compliance of all brands supplied to Pick n Pay.

Anet obtained her early training as a scientist at the Department focussing on water use authorisations.  She has experience in water services, dam safety, economic regulation, water use authorisations, compliance and enforcement.  She further has environmental impact management of large infrastructure development knowledge and experience. In 2021, Anet was appointed in her current posts where she leads a team focussing on regulation (water services and water resource), compliance and enforcement.  She is currently involved in the water services sector reform to improve the performance of water service provision.

Bongiwe obtained a MSC in Consumer Sciences from the University of South Africa in 2019. Her career trajectory has seen her excel in various capacities, from online quality control, laboratory testing, inspections & auditing, product development,  quality assurance and food safety management systems, culminating in her current position where she governs food safety initiatives and forms strong partnerships with external entities in the pursuit of the Food Safety agenda

Tiger Brands is one of Africa’s largest listed manufacturers of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Our core business is the manufacture, marketing and distribution of everyday branded food and beverages. Our portfolio also includes leading brands in the home and personal care segments, and we have a growing presence in Africa. Our purpose is to nourish and nurture more lives every day. Our iconic brands are well-known in South Africa, and our products cater for every meal and occasion with consumer favourites that include brands like Koo, Fattis and Monis, Jungle Oats, All Gold, Purity, Oros and Tastic Rice as well as household favourites such as Ingrams and Doom.