Our Food & Nutrition Team

Our Food & Nutrition Group has a team that is specialized to meet the various needs of our clients. Each senior staff member has the reassuring knowledge of knowing that behind them stand numerous, educated supporting scientists and toxicologists to ensure our clients’ needs are met with a team. To learn more about our Food & Nutrition primary consultants, please select a name from the list below.  We have only listed senior staff on the website, additional members of the team have bios that are available upon request.

Senior Management

• Ashley Roberts, Ph.D., Vice President, Food & Nutrition
• David Bechtel, Ph.D., DABT, Vice President, New Jersey Office, Senior Scientific Consultant

Senior Scientific & Regulatory Consultants

• Tatsuyuki Hayashi, B.Sc., Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, Japan
• Nigel Baldwin, B.Sc., MIFST, CSci, Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, Europe 
• Sandy Lin, M.En., DUST, Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, China 
• Larry G. McGirr, Ph.D., Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group
• Lois Haighton, B.Sc., DABT, Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group
• Barry Lynch, B.Sc., DABT, Associate Director
• Kathy Musa-Veloso, Ph.D., Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group
• Andrea Wong, Ph.D., Senior Scientific and Regulatory Consultant
• Ryan Simon, M.Sc., Senior Scientist
• Lina Paulionis, M.Sc., MHSc, RD, Senior Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Scientific & Regulatory Consultants

• Jennifer DePietro, M.A., Scientific & Regulatory Consultant
• Barbara Danielewska-Nikiel, M.Sc., Scientist
• Elizabeth Lewis, Ph.D., Scientist & Regulatory Consultant
• Shahrzad Tafazoli, Ph.D., Scientist & Regulatory Consultant
• Áine Hearty, Ph.D., Senior Intakes Specialist

 

Tatsuyuki Hayashi, B.Sc.
Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, Japan

Tatsuyuki Hayashi, the Director of our Japan office, is striving to harmonize strategies for our foreign clients wishing to expand into the Japanese market as well as other parts of Asia. Tatsuyuki Hayashi has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing in the health care industry in Japan. Much of his work has involved developing import approvals and sales in Japan for new active natural food ingredients in the Japanese market. His experience spans the development and establishment of business alliances between Japanese companies and foreign ones.

Mr. Hayashi has been an active board member of the NNFA-J (National Nutrient Food Association Japan) for expansion of the Japanese food supplement market through deregulation and its international harmonization for 8 years. His work experience has him well versed in the regulations and approval processes in Japan.

Mr. Hayashi is a graduate in Agricultural Chemistry at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. He can offer not only food industry clients, but also pharmaceutical and agricultural industry clients the know-how and expertise needed to achieve successful approval and product development in the Asian markets.

 

Nigel Baldwin, B.Sc., MIFST, CSci
Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, Europe

Having a wealth of knowledge and experience with international food, food ingredient and specialty chemical regulations, he is a recognized expert in the area of novel foods and food supplements in Europe with extensive practical insight into the areas of feed ingredients and additives, infant formula, functional foods and health claims. Providing invaluable expertise to international companies seeking to develop and implement strategies for gaining approvals for new products and health claims in Europe.

Prior to joining Intertek Cantox in 2003, Mr. Baldwin worked in technical and regulatory affairs for over 15 years, encompassing nutritional and chemical microbiology, analytical chemistry, food science, quality management and toxicology. He was previously Corporate Regulatory Affairs Manager for a major international food ingredient company working on regulatory strategies for food additives and novel food ingredients. 

He was also European Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for a major functional food ingredient company during its initial development and market launches working extensively on novel foods, food supplements, health claims, infant formula and feed regulatory approvals and strategies. He therefore has first hand experience of the technical, time and cost pressures facing new product development.

Mr. Baldwin received his B.Sc. with honours in Biochemistry and Physiology in 1987 from the University of Central Lancashire, majoring in Microbial Biotechnology and Pharmacology and is a Chartered Scientist in the UK. In addition to having been an active participant of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), he is also a member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Society of Cosmetic Scientists.

 

Sandy Lin, M.En., DUST
Director, Scientific & Regulatory Consulting, China

Ms. Lin heads Intertek Cantox’s Beijing Office, which illustrates Intertek Cantox’s commitment to helping clients achieve their market expansion goals by delivering unparalleled experience as world leaders in the field of food regulatory compliance and new product approval. She is a recognized regulatory expert in the area of food-related regulations, food additives, novel food ingredients and health foods in China. Her qualifications span over 20 years of industry and regulatory experience in which she worked for large international food companies in China.

She has developed and maintained extensive networking relationships with the Chinese government authorities responsible for food safety, such as Ministry of Health, State Food and Drug Administration Bureau, General Administration of Quality Supervision, and Inspection and Quarantine. She has also established excellent relationships with important food safety institutes and trade associations. She is an active participant of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI). As well, she is one of the core members of the China National Food Industry Association. Prior to joining Intertek Cantox in 2012, Ms. Lin worked in the scientific and regulatory affairs area for over 10 years.

She was the previous Corporate Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Manager - Greater China Region for a leading international food company working on regulatory strategies and compliance for a full range of consumer foods, food additives, novel food ingredients and health foods, working extensively on influencing food safety law, food safety standards, novel food (probiotics) and feed additives regulatory approvals and strategies.

Ms. Lin received her M. Engineering in 1989 from the Dalian University of Science and Technology, majoring in Fine Chemicals and Polymer Engineering.

 

Larry G. McGirr, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group

Dr. McGirr, a Senior Scientist, is an Associate Director within the Food & Nutrition Group. With over 20 years experience in the field of biochemical toxicology he has developed an extensive practice dealing with international regulatory issues related to the safety of major food materials. This expertise has led to the resolution of several clients’ complex regulatory issues.

Being well versed in the evaluation and development of safety programs for direct and indirect food additives, food ingredients, novel foods, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides required for international regulatory approvals, he has participated in many expert panels regarding various food and dietary supplement product safety. Dr. McGirr has successfully managed the development of complex regulatory petitions involving safety data, methodology for estimating food additive/ingredient and contaminant intakes, and appropriate food and nutrition labeling.

He has published extensively in the area of biochemical toxicology concerning the molecular mechanisms associated with the toxicology of a wide range of chemicals including drugs, mycotoxins, and environmental chemicals. His diverse background in chemistry, knowledge of structure activity relationships, and of biochemical mechanisms of chemical toxicology have been applied to the area of risk assessment of various environmental chemicals, food contaminants, and major food ingredients/food additives.

Dr. McGirr is a graduate of the University of Calgary in Chemistry and Queen's University in Biochemistry, with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. He trained in analytical chemistry, nutritional toxicology, and biochemical toxicology at the University of Guelph and at the University of Toronto before becoming an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto teaching courses in biochemistry, and has also held research positions within Agriculture Canada.

 

Lois A. Haighton, B.Sc., DABT
Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group

Ms. Haighton, a board certified toxicologist and Associate Director within the Food & Nutrition Group at Intertek Cantox with over 15 years experience in product safety evaluations, serves clients by playing an integral role as project manager and senior scientific evaluator on a wide variety of health related projects involving critical evaluation and interpretation of scientific data including carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, toxicology, metabolism, endocrine disruption, environmental fate, epidemiology and mechanistic studies. She also has a great deal of experience in conducting risk assessments of contaminated products including foods and pharmaceuticals, and risk assessments of contaminated environments.

Since joining Intertek Cantox in 1991, Ms. Haighton has prepared numerous scientific and regulatory reports for both government and industry on a wide variety of issues and products including biotechnology-derived products, as well as third party reviews and structure activity relationship (SAR) analyses. In the Agri, Biotech & Consumer Products Group, Ms. Haighton oversees regulatory compliance evaluations including safety and efficacy reviews of products such as feeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. She also completes toxicological evaluations of consumer product formulations to ensure compliance with the U.S. CPSC Regulations and the Canada Hazardous Products Regulations.

Ms. Haighton also provides scientific and management support to the Food & Nutrition Group including conducting Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) assessments of food ingredients and herbal extracts. Within the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Group she takes the lead in the toxicological evaluation of impurities, degradants and leachables/extractables and related issues in support of new drug applications.

Ms. Haighton graduated from Queen's University with an Honours B.Sc. in Life Sciences. While at Queen’s and immediately following graduation, she assisted with mechanistic research of fetal alcohol syndrome. Ms. Haighton was certified in general toxicology by the American Board of Toxicology in 2002 and is a member of the Society of Toxicology.

 

Kathy Musa-Veloso, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Food & Nutrition Group

Dr. Musa-Veloso, a senior scientist within the Food & Nutrition Group, assists both domestic and international clients with the preparation of regulatory strategies for food additives, foods that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), novel foods, and natural health products/ dietary supplements.

Since joining Intertek Cantox in 2003, she additionally conducts expert scientific reviews of clinical and pre-clinical data for those clients interested in health claims. This data is used in support of either a health claim or a structure-function claim (United States) or a product-specific claim (Canada). Dr. Musa-Veloso is also involved in the preparation and review of clinical study protocols, and in pre-qualifying clinical research facilities prior to the placement of clinical studies with a Contract Research Organization (CRO). To further facilitate our clients’ requirements, she performs on-going support of clinical studies, including clinical trial monitoring and auditing, ensuring compliance to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and adherence to study protocols.

With her strong food and nutrition background, Dr. Musa-Veloso has authored several publications and presented at various conferences.

Having completed a combined Honours B.Sc. degree in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, Dr. Musa-Veloso went on to receive her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto.

 

Andrea Wong, Ph.D.
Senior Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Dr. Wong is a Senior Scientific and Regulatory Consultant in the Food & Nutrition Group. In this capacity, she critically evaluates and interprets toxicological data used in the assessment of human health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals, food ingredients and additives, and dietary supplements. Dr. Wong has played a key role in numerous successful GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) determinations, and is involved in the preparation of petitions for evaluation by several international regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). She is experienced in preparing documentation for novel food, food additive, and food packaging submissions, as well as clinical trial applications.

Dr. Wong received her B.Sc. with honours in Life Sciences from Queen's University and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Toronto. During her graduate studies, Dr. Wong was awarded several scholarships, including the Society of Toxicology Novartis Graduate Student Fellowship and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Post-Graduate Scholarship.

Dr. Wong has published papers in peer-reviewed journals concerning mechanisms of toxicity and the safety of food ingredients, and has presented her research at international scientific meetings of the Society of Toxicology, the Society for Neuroscience and the Teratology Society. In addition to attending international conferences, Dr. Wong continues her education by participating in regulatory affairs courses. Dr. Wong is a member of the Society of Toxicology.

 

Ryan Simon, M.Sc.
Senior Scientist

Mr. Ryan Simon is a Scientist and Regulatory Consultant within the Food & Nutrition Group. As integral member of the Food & Nutrition Group, Mr. Simon provides regulatory advice and strategic guidance to companies wishing to bring food ingredients and supplement products to major international marketplaces in a timely and cost productive manner. Using his strong knowledge of the U.S food regulations, toxicology and food safety, Mr. Simon has successfully project managed the introduction of several food ingredients to the U.S. marketplace, which include galactooligosaccharides, beta-glucans, novel food oils, non-nutritive fat replacements, and numerous botanical derived plant extracts. Through his experience in assisting the needs of various multinational clients, Ryan has developed expertise in the regulatory and safety requirements of foods derived from novel plant varieties and Genetically Modified (GM), and unique probiotic food ingredients, with a particular emphasis on the placement of these foods in the U.S marketplace.

Prior to joining the Food & Nutrition Group at Intertek Cantox, Mr. Simon was employed at a Canadian Biotechnology company for a number of years. As a scientist within the company Ryan was responsible for all animal efficacy and safety data related to the research and product development of bone-growth peptides for use in artificial bone replacement devices and autologous tissue engineered cartilage replacement systems.

Mr. Simon received his B.Sc. with honors in Biomedical Toxicology from the University of Guelph and a M.Sc. in Cell Biology and Metabolism from the McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. His graduate work focused on mechanisms of drug-induced bone loss, and vascular calcification. Mr. Simon has published several publications and posters pertaining to the toxicological assessment of food ingredients, and has authored numerous regulatory dossiers used in the safety determination of food ingredients.

 

Lina Paulionis, M.Sc., MHSc, RD
Senior Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Ms. Lina Paulionis is a Scientist in the Food & Nutrition Group at Intertek Cantox. Since joining Intertek Cantox in 2007, Ms. Paulionis applies her expert knowledge of North American and European health claim substantiation standards and her proficiency in the conduct of systematic reviews to critically evaluate whether a body of scientific evidence substantiates claims, with sufficient scientific rigor, on foods, dietary supplements, and natural health products. Ms. Paulionis can complete substantiation dossiers for Article 13 and 14 claims in the European Union; Qualified, Authorized, and Structure/Function claims in the United States; Therapeutic, Disease Risk-Reduction, and Function claims in Canada. Ms. Paulionis also reviews and designs clinical trial protocols for assessing the efficacy of substances in foods or dietary supplements (to ensure they are sufficiently rigorous and meet internationally accepted standards in the conduct of clinical trials); completes novel fiber applications; and provides scientific support and regulatory strategies for product development and commercialization.

Ms. Paulionis holds an Honours B.Sc. in Biochemistry from McMaster University, a M.Sc. in Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Guelph, a Food Science Certificate from the University of Guelph, and a M.H.Sc. in Public Health Sciences, Community Nutrition, from the University of Toronto. She is also a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Ms. Paulionis has published several peer-reviewed journal articles regarding the role of vitamin status in elderly. She also received the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) during her graduate studies.

Before joining Intertek Cantox, Ms. Paulionis worked in academia as a Post-Graduate Research Fellow in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto and in government (Health Canada) as a Scientific Evaluator in the Nutrition Evaluation Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch.

Ms. Paulionis has spoken on health claims at various national and international conferences and has played a key role in building Canada’s health claim management framework.

  

Jennifer DePietro, M.A.
Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Ms. DePietro, a Scientist within the Food & Nutrition Group, provides clients with her expertise in evaluating and summarizing toxicological data used in the assessment of human health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals and cosmetic products, as well as food additives and flavouring ingredients. In addition, she has prepared Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) notifications, and pesticide and pharmaceutical submissions. Ms. DePietro is also experienced with the New Substances Notification Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), and preparation of new chemical submissions in accordance with this Act.

By critically evaluating non-clinical study reports she ensures compliance with international regulatory guidelines for the safety assessment of pharmaceuticals and food additives. As part of her responsibilities, Ms. DePietro assists in the research and review of published literature, relatable to current projects.

Previous to joining Intertek Cantox in 1997, Ms. DePietro worked as a Laboratory Analyst with Environmental Pro-Tech Services and as a Study Coordinator/Associate Research Scientist with Bristol-Myers Squibb, located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She brings to Intertek Cantox experience in analytic toxicology (water and sludge analysis), quality control, laboratory animal health, Good Laboratory Practice, and study monitoring. 

Ms. DePietro received a B.Sc. in Pharmacology and a M.A. in Toxicology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her graduate research involved assessing the effects of PCB congeners on reproduction in the Rhesus monkey. She is also a member of the Society of Toxicology.

 

Barbara Danielewska-Nikiel, M.Sc.
Scientist

Ms. Danielewska-Nikiel, a Scientist with the Food & Nutrition Group, has been with Intertek Cantox since 2002. Her scientific expertise allows her to critically evaluate and assess the safety and efficacy of new food ingredients and additives, flavouring agents, natural health products, and dietary supplements, while her knowledge of international food regulations provides her with the ability to advise our clients regarding the most appropriate strategies for receiving approval for their products.

While at Intertek Cantox, Ms. Danielewska-Nikiel has been a key player in successfully preparing several GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) dossiers for numerous clients. Along with preparing successful GRAS dossiers, she has also prepared dietary supplement notifications, food additive petitions, novel food petitions, and natural health product license applications for approval of new food ingredients and supplement products in the EU, U.S., and Canada. Her well written, organized, and extensively researched reports prepared for an international clientele, have been submitted to Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Food Safety Authority. She has played a pivotal role in the preparation of monographs for submission to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and has co-authored several publications related to food safety.

Ms. Danielewska-Nikiel received her Honours B.Sc. in Toxicology from the University of Toronto. She continues to take courses, including a number of regulatory courses, through the Michigan State University where she is currently enrolled on a part-time basis in a Master of Science degree program in Food Safety. Through these and other courses and regular conference attendance, she keeps up-to-date on current regulations, changing market trends, and new scientific findings concerning food and nutrition.

 

Elizabeth Lewis, Ph.D.
Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Dr. Lewis, a Scientist in the Food & Nutrition Group, joined Intertek Cantox in 2007.  She provides technical expertise to the group and critically evaluates the analytical information associated with food ingredient or additive safety assessments.

Applying her broad background in chemistry, Dr. Lewis has played a key role in the preparation and stewardship of a number of successful European novel foods applications, and has more recently expanded her knowledge to include other national and international regulatory submission procedures. In addition, she has assisted numerous clients in developing analytical strategies to show compliance with current regulatory requirements or to resolve contaminant/compositional issues.

Dr. Lewis received her BSc. (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of York (UK) following this with a M.Sc. in Bioorganic Chemistry from Dalhousie University (Canada) and a Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry from the University of York (UK). She held postdoctoral positions in biological and medicinal chemistry at the University of Minnesota (US) and Hull University (UK), respectively and was a Senior R&D Chemist in the fats and oils industry before joining Intertek Cantox in 2007.

 

Shahrzad Tafazoli, Ph.D.
Scientific & Regulatory Consultant

Dr. Tafazoli is a Scientific & Regulatory Consultant with the Food & Nutrition Group. Her background in Chemical Engineering and Toxicology allows her to be involved in various projects from the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology to regulatory strategies pertaining to food safety. She is responsible for critical evaluation of toxicological data used for safety assessments of various food additives and ingredients as well as substances that are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).

Dr. Tafazoli received her B.A.Sc. in Applied Chemistry and continued her graduate studies at the University of Toronto where she obtained her M.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. She further obtained her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto with a focus on Toxicology and Pharmacology.

Dr. Tafazoli has published several peer reviewed journal articles regarding mechanisms of toxicity and the safety of food additives, vitamins and drugs, and has presented her research at several international scientific meetings including the Society of Toxicology and the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics. During her graduate studies, Dr. Tafazoli has been awarded several scholarships, including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Post-Graduate Scholarship. She is currently a member of the Society of Toxicology, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Canadian Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

 

Áine Hearty, Ph.D.
Senior Intakes Specialist

Dr. Hearty, an Intakes Specialist within the Food and Nutrition business group, joined Intertek Cantox in 2011. Based in the UK, she provides technical expertise to develop and manage Intertek Cantox’s food intake program using nutrition surveys from a number of international countries and to implement alternate methods of analyzing dietary intake data.

Dr. Hearty has experience in modelling dietary intake data in estimating human exposure to food chemicals, including additives, flavourings, food contact material migrants and nutrients. She has the technical knowledge and experience in applying different methodological approaches in this field and has made significant contributions to developments in this area as an exposure expert for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in both the Food Additive and Nutrient Sources (ANS) working group and in the Food Consumption and Exposure assessment working group (FCE WG). She continues to work closely with researchers from academia, government bodies and industry to collaborate and enrich internal resources.  

Dr. Hearty received her B.Sc.(Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the Dublin Institute of Technology, a M.Sc., in Public Health Nutrition from Trinity College Dublin and a Ph.D. in Public Health Nutrition from University College Dublin. She held the position of Project Manager on an ongoing EU 7^th-Framework funded project assessing exposure to flavourings, additives and food contact materials (FACET) involving 20 partners across the EU. Prior to this, she was a senior research nutritionist for the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance where she was involved in both EU-funded and nationally-funded projects related to dietary intakes and food chemical exposure assessments.

Dr. Hearty has published in peer-reviewed journals on different aspects of her research to date, such as on dietary pattern analysis, and is a member of the Nutrition Society.