February 18, 2015

John Budin, a global authority in the optimization of food safety testing methods for ultimate precision and accuracy, has joined FONA as its Product Safety & Quality Director. He leads a team focused on maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality: FONA is SQF Level 3 certified and was named SQF Manufacturer of the Year in 2012 for superior dedication to food safety.

John drives state-of-the art analytical testing and root cause analysis, while working with customers to ensure products meet exceptional standards of quality and safety. He brings FONA a wealth of expertise built during his nearly 20-year career in the food industry. From manufacturing and testing to operations and teaching, he has ensured quality for global leaders in flavor, food product development and food safety.

Involved with IFT since college, John is currently the Chair of the Chicago Section. He is also Chair-Elect of the Technical Division of Reference Materials for the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), a member of the organizing committee for the North American Chemical Residue Workshop (NACRW) and a member of the Executive Advisory Committee of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition. John earned his B.S., M.S. and PhD in food science from the University of Minnesota.

FONA International, Inc.

Founded in 1987, FONA International creates and manufactures flavors for many of the largest food, beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical companies in the world. It offers flavor solutions for the confection, grain, beverage, performance nutrition, OTC and emerging markets from its state-of-the-art, 33-acre campus in Geneva, IL. FONA International has established a reputation as the forward-thinking, independent solution provider in the very competitive flavor industry.