Some six months after first announcing sweeping changes to its approach to food safety and quality in the wake of a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in liverwurst products from its Jarratt, Va., processing plant, Boar’s Head Brand has appointed a chief food safety officer, who is expected to lead the company’s food safety and quality efforts moving forward.
Natalie Dyenson will be the new chief food safety officer, effective May 12, 2025 — assumedly taking the reins from Frank Yiannis, who was named interim chief food safety officer for the company in October 2024. Dyenson will spearhead the food safety program for Boar’s Head and will work closely with the Boar’s Head Food Safety Advisory Council to ensure food safety and quality standards are developed, monitored and executed.
Dyenson walks in the doors at Boar’s Head with nearly 30 years of food safety experience, having most recently serving as chief regulatory and food safety officer for the International Fresh Produce Association. She previously had been vice president of food safety and quality at Dole Food Co., held significant roles at Walmart and Walt Disney World, and also worked for Silliker, Kash n’ Karry Supermarkets and Harris Teeter.
The naming of a chief food safety officer is one of the last of several major changes Boar’s Head has made in the wake of a multistate Listeria outbreak between May and November 2024 that resulted in the deaths of 10 people and infections of 61 others. The outbreak was tied back to liverwurst product from the Jarratt plant, and subsequent investigations showed longstanding issues there. The plant was closed in September, and Boar’s Head discontinued production of liverwurst throughout the company at that time as well.
