Pathotrak, a company pioneering technology to expedite the detection of foodborne pathogens in laboratories, announced the appointment of Frank Yiannas, a renowned food safety expert and former Deputy Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to its Board of Directors.
Yiannas has been a leading advocate for leveraging technology to combat foodborne illnesses. During his tenure as Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA, he played a key role in advancing the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and spearheaded the agency’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative. Prior to his work at the FDA, Yiannas held senior food safety roles at Walmart and the Walt Disney Company. After leaving the FDA, he founded Smarter FY Solutions, advising on food safety and supply chain issues.
“We invited Frank to join our team because of his rare experience in both industry and government, combined with his unwavering passion for food safety,” said Javier Atencia, Founder and CEO of Pathotrak. “He has been at the forefront of food safety advancements and brings invaluable expertise to our mission.”
Yiannas praised Pathotrak’s innovative approach to food safety, highlighting how its technology addresses longstanding challenges. “We need to leverage cutting-edge science to revolutionize food safety. Pathotrak’s ability to detect pathogens within hours, rather than days, is a game changer and aligns with the smarter food safety principles I’ve long championed. I’m excited to be part of this transformative work,” he stated.
Pathotrak’s signature technology, Next Generation Enrichment, is designed for food safety testing laboratories and producers, significantly reducing the sample preparation time known as enrichment. Traditionally, this step requires a 22-hour incubation period to grow bacteria levels for detection. Pathotrak’s solution cuts this down, delivering test results within an eight-hour lab shift.
The company’s goals include accelerating foodborne illness investigations, minimizing recalls, and reducing food waste. In 2022, Pathotrak’s technology became the first to receive AOAC Research Institute certification for detecting pathogens in leafy greens in under eight hours. In 2024, Pathotrak expanded its reach, achieving AOAC accreditation for rapid testing in beef and continuing to innovate in other food categories.
