About Steven Gendel

The goal of my work is to create a world where all food labels are clear, complete, current, and accurate, especially regarding information about the intended and unintended presence of food allergens. And remember, saying nothing is saying something when it comes to allergens.

My interest in and concern about food allergen transparency began when I joined the FDA and worked on assessing the potential allergenicity of transferred proteins in GMO crops. This interest and concern grew after the passage of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), while working on the allergen control requirements in the FDA Preventive Controls for Human Foods regulation, and through involvement in recall response and enforcement activities.

Through all that, I came to realize there is a huge gap between what the FDA, other public health agencies, and food scientists say and what allergic consumers experience every day. Closing this gap will require much more transparency from the food industry and government regulators; in other words, communication with consumers, not to them.

Since leaving the FDA, I have worked with consumers, patient organizations, health care professionals, companies, and nonprofits to help close this gap.

This work includes scientific publications and articles, as well as in-person and online presentations to groups of all sizes. I have developed and delivered food safety classes for professionals and the public and support the food allergy community on Substack.

I hold a BS in Chemical Engineering, a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology, and have postgraduate training in food law, organizational leadership, and risk assessment.

I live and work in Maryland near Washington, DC, and enjoy visiting the Smithsonian museums whenever I can.