Ensuring Safe and High-Quality Nutrition Through Expertise and Innovation

Christine Lodder, Senior Director Global Quality Assurance, Merieux Nutrisciences

Recognizing Christine Lodder’s extensive expertise in quality assurance and food safety, this exclusive interview provides valuable insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, the role of predictive analytics in supplier qualification, and strategies for enhancing quality standards in the food industry.

Professional Journey in Food Safety and Quality Leadership
I am a food technologist by education, graduating from Wageningen University and have had various roles, starting with quality positions early in my career. I ultimately chose the quality function, which led me to take on leadership roles in quality since 2008. I’ve worked in regional and global quality teams for Infant Nutrition and Dairy companies, such as Mead Johnson Nutrition (now Reckitt), Danone Early Life Nutrition, and FrieslandCampina.

In my current role at Mérieux NutriSciences (MxNS), I align closely with the company's purpose of enhancing public health, ensuring safe food, and contributing to a greener planet. I am proud to lead the global quality function, contributing to food safety and quality assurance across various markets. It’s inspiring to work with experts from MxNS, customers, and suppliers on quality and analytical innovations.

Regulatory Changes, Supplier Qualification, and Predictive Analytics
As technology evolves, detection capabilities in infant nutrition have improved, raising concerns about contamination. With infant nutrition being the sole source of nutrition during their first months in life, the scrutiny of every batch released is critical. New regulations require a thorough review to assess their impact on materials and packaging. In the case of food contact, toxicological assessments are necessary to understand the migration of substances. The supplier qualification process now includes document reviews, site audits, material risk assessments, and alerting customers if deviations occur.

Predicting ingredient levels for each batch, given variations in raw materials and manufacturing processes, is challenging but crucial

To improve predictability, manufacturers use larger sample sizes for microbiological parameters and intensive batch testing for markers and added nutrients. Predicting ingredient levels for each batch, given variations in raw materials and manufacturing processes, is challenging but crucial. Industry collaboration is vital for contaminant and pesticide testing, which is costly, and predictive models are slowly being built. In-line sampling and validation of testing methods help drive efficiency and reduce release times, though technically challenging.

Infant nutrition commonly uses rice and soy proteins, but plant-based infant formulas have been evaluated and shown to be nutritionally adequate. To assess suppliers of novel plant-based ingredients, they must meet regulatory requirements like GRAS (USFDA) or EFSA approval. The manufacturing site must meet high hygiene standards, especially when dealing with dry blended ingredients. Additionally, allergens need special attention. Gaining full visibility of the plant-protein supply chain is essential for risk assessments. R&D is concerned with understanding the properties of these proteins and their impact on sensory and physical attributes, which are critical for consumer preference.

By analyzing analytical results, variability across batches can be understood and predicted. Quality issues have often stemmed from deviations in unspecified parameters or overlooked changes, caused by the use of overly broad specifications. These broad specifications may have been acceptable for past recipes but do not meet the requirements of new markets or products. It’s essential to gather enough analytical data over time and understand how suppliers and manufacturing processes impact the parameters. Audit efficiency increases with strong risk assessments, and transparency with suppliers strengthens the relationship. In cases of contamination with unclear root causes, mapping contamination sources using internal and external data sources helps in building predictive models. I’ve had experience where a smart factory expert team created a product model from raw milk to the final powder product, assessing the risk of a batch meeting customer and regulatory requirements.

Market Differentiation, Consumer Trust, and Career Growth
Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with marketing and innovation teams to understand how consumers value product quality when choosing a brand. We align efforts with customer care to resolve complaints quickly, mitigating health risks and safeguarding the brand’s reputation. For infant nutrition, trust in the brand is critical, as giving birth is a unique life event. The brand must perform at every "moment of truth." We also conduct store checks to evaluate packaging performance on shelves, and preference studies help assess consumer perception. For example, packaging must open hygienically, dissolve smoothly, and not produce excessive foam. These elements are essential to consumer satisfaction and product choice.

To make a significant impact, focus on resolving chronic quality issues and gaps within your organization. I spent my first years in production roles, which helped me understand the challenges on the shop floor, such as implementing new standards and measures. To grow your career, seek opportunities to understand challenges in related roles. Broadening your horizon will help you become a valuable partner in critical food safety and quality risk mitigation across the entire supply chain. The quality function is unique—often political and personally challenging. But these challenges also mean that something important is at stake, and there’s never a dull moment. Aim to lead the function toward long-term customer and quality goals, and try to break away from short-term problem-solving. Quality roles offer the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, so seize the chance to grow. If you connect with the purpose of the role and are energized by the opportunity to improve with cross-functional teams, you’ll make an impact step by step.