USA - Boar’s Head Brand has announced the appointment of Frank Yiannas as interim Chief Food Safety Officer (CFSO), just three weeks after launching a nationwide search for a permanent successor. 

The move comes as the company grapples with the fallout from a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to its Jarratt, Virginia, processing plant. Yiannas, a prominent food safety expert, was already serving on the independent food safety council Boar’s Head established in response to the deadly outbreak.

In his new role, Yiannas will oversee Boar’s Head’s food safety and quality assurance operations while leading the search for a permanent CFSO. 

The company, in a press release, indicated that the search remains ongoing, with no specific timetable provided for when a permanent hire might be named. 

Yiannas will remain central to the process, spearheading efforts to identify the right candidate while continuing to ensure that the company's food safety protocols meet industry-leading standards.

Boar’s Head has been taking steps to enhance its food safety practices in the wake of the Listeria outbreak, which prompted the formation of the "Boar's Head Food Safety Advisory Council." 

This group comprises leading experts in food safety, including Dr. David Acheson, Dr. Mindy Brashears, Dr. Martin Wiedmann, and Yiannas himself. As the interim CFSO, Yiannas will chair this advisory council, overseeing its recommendations to improve the company’s safety protocols.

Yiannas, who previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is well known in the food industry for his work on preventive food safety measures. 

The exact reasons for Yiannas’ interim appointment were not disclosed, though the company emphasized its continued focus on maintaining the highest food safety standards across its facilities. 

The Listeria outbreak, traced back to the company’s Virginia processing plant, led to a recall of certain products, with federal authorities urging consumers to discard items from that location.

Boar’s Head has been actively cooperating with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The outbreak has raised questions about the company’s internal processes, pushing it to take further corrective actions to prevent future incidents. 

The formation of the independent council and Yiannas' interim role appear to be part of those efforts, with an emphasis on mitigating risks and enhancing oversight.

While the exact timeline for appointing a permanent chief food safety officer remains unclear, Yiannas will continue to play a pivotal role in guiding Boar’s Head through this critical period.