Andrew Kennedy

Andrew Kennedy is recognized for his expertise in food supply chain traceability, with extensive experience at the intersection of food safety technology, regulatory policy, and industry standards. Kennedy began his career at Accenture in New York City before contributing to the growth of two startups: Clarkston, an early leader in SAP consulting, and Diba Industries, a company specializing in clinical diagnostic precision fluid handling. This entrepreneurial background provided the foundation for his work in transforming food industry practices related to product tracking and safety from farm to table.

Before joining the Food and Drug Administration, Kennedy led the Institute of Food Technologists' Global Food Traceability Center and co-founded FoodLogiQ, a food traceability platform serving restaurant operators, food companies, and retailers. He also co-convened traceability standards development working groups for GS1, the Produce Traceability Initiative, and the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability. These initiatives contributed to the establishment of global frameworks for tracking food across complex supply chains.

At the Food and Drug Administration, Kennedy spent three years in the Office of Food Policy and Response, where he developed food supply chain traceability and recall systems, public-facing programs, and regulatory policy, including the agency's Final Rule for Food Traceability and Tech-Enabled Traceability, a core element of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety. Kennedy also led the team that developed 21 Forward, a tool used by the Foods Program to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution, monitor the pandemic's impact on the U.S. food supply chain, and assist with the powdered infant formula crisis response. His involvement in addressing significant food safety challenges demonstrates his capacity to operate effectively in high-pressure public health environments.

Kennedy founded New Era Partners to provide traceability and compliance consulting and later became Chief Traceability Officer at iFoodDS, where he leads product strategy for the company's traceability product line and continues to advocate for food supply chain traceability. With Jennifer McEntire of the United Fresh Produce Association, Kennedy edited "Food Traceability from Binders to Blockchain," published by Springer, further establishing his role in the field. Drawing on his experience in regulatory policy, business development, and food safety outbreak management, Kennedy offers insights into the evolution of traceability regulations, technological advancements, and the complexities of food safety. His background positions him as a knowledgeable resource for audiences navigating food safety and supply chain traceability.