Susan MacDonald
Last updated: 28 October 2022
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Ms Susan MacDonald is a chemical safety scientist with over 32 years’ experience working on analysis and providing advice and training on mycotoxins and natural toxins in food and feed. She has a degree in Food Science obtained from the University of Strathclyde. Immediately after graduation she started work at the then MAFF Food Science Laboratory in Norwich, working on development of analytical methods and investigation of sampling plans for mycotoxins. After working at the Food Science Laboratory for nearly a decade, the laboratory was re-located to Sand Hutton and after a number of changes become Fera Science Ltd. During that time, she has developed her role and is now Science Lead for Natural Toxins. She has led numerous studies on mycotoxins, plant toxins and other chemical contaminants in food and feed funded by bodies such as FSA, FSS, EFSA, the EU, individual companies and trade bodies contributing to safety evidence and industry guidance. She has authored approximately 50 peer reviewed publications, on topics as diverse as sampling for aflatoxins, collaborative method validation studies, surveys of plant toxins in foods and the effects of mycotoxins on garden birds.
Ms MacDonald works with consortia to develop and deliver collaborative projects that result in evidence that is used to develop safety strategies. She has acted as head of the UK National Reference Laboratory functions for Contaminants in food and feed for over 10 years, resulting in an understanding of a broad range of chemical contaminant issues. She has been a member for over 20 years of several international working groups on analytical methods including CEN TC327 WG5, Natural Toxins in Animal Feed working collaboratively with international colleagues to develop European Standards for analysis. She has also carried out training on analysis and laboratory quality systems (ISO17025) on behalf of the UK and other governments, the EU, IAEA and FAO/WHO.
Register of Interests
Current
Personal
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Category of Interest |
Organisation/body and nature of interest (period) |
|---|---|
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Direct employment |
Fera Science Ltd (and predecessors) (1990-present) |
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Other personal interests |
Member of ACAF Head of the UK National Reference Laboratory functions for Contaminants in food and feed |
Non-Personal
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Category of Interest |
Organisation/body and nature of interest (period) |
|---|---|
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Financial support |
FSA funding for projects relating to food and feed safety. Current projects include: Mycotoxins in cat food (2022), Survey of CBD products (2022), NRLs for Contaminants in Food and Feed (current contract 2021-2025). |
Historical Interests
Personal
| Category of Interest | Organisation/body and nature of interest (period) |
|---|---|
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Membership, affiliation, trusteeships or decision-making position with relevant organisations |
Member of FSA AFFAJEG (2019-2022) |
Non-Personal
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Category of Interest |
Organisation/body and nature of interest (period) |
|---|---|
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Indirect financial or non-financial support from relevant organisations |
Funding for projects from EFSA, EU, FSA, AHDB |