SPIFAN Stakeholder Panel (September 23, 2017)

STAKEHOLDER PANEL ON INFANT FORMULA AND ADULT NUTRITIONALS (SPIFAN)

Dan Schmitz, Abbott Nutrition Regional Head, R&D and Scientific Affairs Americas Global Head of Product and Packaging Development Dan is responsible for R&D in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America; he is also the Global Head of Product and Packaging Development for Abbott’s nutrition division. His role includes overseeing a team of 300 dedicated to research and development, user insights research as well as global flavor and sensory innovation.

Dan is a member of the Board of Directors of AOAC and was appointed Chair Presidential Task Force China Engagement. He was a principal in the creation of the Stakeholder Panel for Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN) which is driving modern global standard test methods. He is a Fellow of the Food Systems Leadership Institute and was recently profiled in the book, “It-Factor Leadership”, for his role in establishing a therapeutic peanut nutritional facility in Haiti which has enabled local residents to sustain the production of a nutritional to relieve widespread malnutrition. The work in Haiti has been highlighted in the New York Times and on the CBS Evening News. He has had the honor of giving a personal tour of the factory to former U.S. President Bill Clinton. In 2014 he was profiled in Fortune as a “Heroes of the 500.” Dan is active in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) and has been a strong contributor to Food Safety Capacity Building throughout the region. Dan has published extensively in the area of nutritional analysis. Prior to joining Abbott, he obtained a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Miami University.