Dr. Aaron Bodie was recently named to Stop Foodborne Illness’s “40 Under 40” list of “rising stars who are revolutionizing the field of food safety.” Aaron, who studied at MSABD under Dr. Steven Ricke, graduated from UW-Madison in summer 2022. The annual “40 Under 40” list emphasizes individuals’ growth potential, “their contributions to food safety culture, and their ability to inspire others” in their work in academia, industry, or the regulatory system. Stop Foodborne Illness grew out of the E. coli outbreak that struck the west coast of the United States in 1993 and has successfully advocated for food safety legislation. To view the full “40 Under 40” list, please visit: https://stopfoodborneillness.org/alliance-40-under-40/.

Whether he is helping processors meet Global Food Safety Initiative standards and/or regulatory standards as a consultant, communicating with researchers, or writing for Frontline Data Solutions’ food safety blog, Aaron advances the field of food safety while bridging many working groups. His social media videos, released under the pseudonym Dr. Micro Food Safety (https://www.instagram.com/dr.microfoodsafety/), are a fresh and creative take on increasing awareness about foodborne pathogens. In one video, Aaron explains how, with improper handling, pathogens can be harbored in the pre-cut fruit and vegetables sold in many grocery stores. He then recommends purchasing whole fruit and vegetables to cut at home instead.

Congratulations Aaron!