Aaron Pleitner, Ph.D.

Dr. Aaron Pleitner is a food safety scientist with deep expertise in microbial risk management, environmental monitoring, sanitation strategy, and product safety across a wide range of food categories, including dairy, meat, produce, plant-based proteins, pet food, bakery, confectionary, aseptic, and RTE products. His work centers on developing practical, science-based programs that strengthen food safety, improve product reliability, and reduce risk throughout manufacturing environments.

Areas of Expertise

• Rapid and molecular method validation (AOAC, AFNOR).
• Microbiological criteria for food safety and quality.
• Microbiological food safety, risk assessment, and root-cause investigation.
• Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), hygienic zoning, and contamination control.
• Sanitation strategy, SSOP development, and sanitizer efficacy optimization.
• Microbial behavior modeling (Sym’Previus, ComBase, PMP).
• Challenge studies, shelf-life modeling, and stability assessments using FDA/USDA guidelines.
• Regulatory compliance for FDA, USDA, EU, USP products.
• Hygienic design and equipment sanitation evaluation.
• Allergen management and verification programs.
• Foreign-material prevention, verification, and characterization.

Professional Focus

• Designing and improving standards for raw ingredients, intermediates, and finished goods.
• Best-fit solutions for test methods and test requirements based on scientific justification.
• Translating complex microbiological risks into actionable, operational solutions.
• Strengthening food safety plans (HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, GMPs).
• Supporting R&D, operations, and commercialization with clear scientific guidance.
• Leading cross-functional scientific teams in high-risk or time-sensitive situations.