About Me

I’m Jon Woody, CAPT, United States Public Health Service (Ret.) and the founder of Woody Food Strategies. I bring over 27 years of expertise in food safety, food defense, and fraud, including 24 years in senior leadership roles at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to help organizations manage risk and navigate complex regulatory environments.

My career began at the National Food Processors Association, where I guided member companies in developing and implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans. I then joined FDA, where I worked extensively on retail food safety initiatives supporting the Food Code. I advanced into national leadership roles as Senior Food Defense Policy Analyst and later Director of the Food Defense and Emergency Coordination Staff, where I became an internationally recognized expert in food defense and food fraud. I concluded my FDA career as Director of Preparedness and Emergency Programs, where I led efforts to strengthen supply chain integrity and traceability.

Throughout my time at FDA, I played a key leadership role in implementing critical components of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). I led the development and implementation of the Intentional Adulteration (IA) rule and provided executive oversight for the FSMA 204 Food Traceability rule.

As the founding leader of the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) IA rule training courses, I serve as the head trainer-of-trainers and lead instructor for the Vulnerability Assessment course. I also trained FDA teams now conducting IA rule inspections.

Since launching Woody Food Strategies in 2025, I’ve advised clients across the food industry—applying regulatory insight and technical expertise to solve emerging challenges in food safety and defense. I’m also a sought-after speaker and trainer, having delivered presentations around the globe.

I live in Annapolis, Maryland, where I enjoy time with family, paddleboarding on Weems Creek, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.