

Dr. Darin Detwiler is a recognized authority on food safety with over 30 years of experience in consulting, education, and health policy. His involvement began after a personal tragedy when his son died from an E. coli outbreak in 1993. Since then, he has been a tireless advocate for food safety and has significantly influenced both industry standards and government regulations. Dr. Detwiler is an Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, where he leads programs in food policy and public health. He is also a consultant to food companies and government agencies and the author of the book “Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions.” His expertise was highlighted in the 2023 Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food.” Through his podcast “Eye on Food Safety” and numerous speaking engagements, he remains a leading voice in the global movement to improve food safety standards.
Lecture summary:
The path to food safety leadership can take many forms - some are conscious, calculated steps toward a goal, while others arise from a sense of responsibility following a crisis, advocacy, or personal tragedy. Dr. Detwiler will explore the intersections of politics, ethics, legacy, and proactive food safety management to discuss how leaders in the field emerge both through self-motivation and external circumstances.