ARLINGTON, VA— June 1, 2011—Today, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced LeAnn Chuboff as the new Senior Technology Director of the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI). Currently, Chuboff serves as the director for SQFI, where she has worked on developing and maintaining the technical support of the SQF code and supporting materials.

In addition to her current responsibilities at SQFI, Chuboff will direct the technical aspects of the program, including the food safety standard, guidelines, training materials and audit and certification protocols. She will also interact with program users in a continual SQF improvement process designed to ensure members are provided the most accurate and supportive program possible.

“LeAnn’s academic training and years of experience in the food industry make her a strategic part of the SQF team,” says SQFI Senior Vice President Robert Garfield. “I look forward to working with LeAnn in her new role, as SQFI adapts to meet the growing food safety needs of our buyers and suppliers in the food industry worldwide.”

“Food Safety is the primary concern of the food industry and we are pleased to announce that LeAnn will carry on her excellent work at SQFI, helping our members achieve excellence in this crucial area,” says Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of FMI. “Her technical expertise will help SQF participants put the necessary systems in place to ensure the safety of food products being presented to the consumer.”

Chuboff has more than 20 years in the foodservice industry, specializing in supply chain food safety and quality assurance. Prior to joining SQFI, she served as the director of science and regulatory relations for National Restaurant Association Solutions. There, Chuboff focused on improving the technical accuracy of the ServSafe food safety program and developed programs and services on food safety and food defense to fit with all segments of the restaurant industry.

Chuboff graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Food Science and is active in organizations including the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the Conference for Food Protection and the International Association for Food Protection.