Nelson-Jameson Food Safety Specialist Receives ‘40 Under 40’ Honor

The Stop Foodborne Illness organization adds Celina To to its list of food industry professionals  for ‘significant contributions to food safety and food safety culture’

Nelson-Jameson has announced that its Food Safety & Quality Specialist, Celina To, has been honored as one of the "40 Food Safety Professionals Under 40" for 2025. This annual initiative, launched in 2023 by The Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, celebrates the achievements and creativity of up-and-coming food safety professionals from around the world.

“We could not be more proud of Celina for earning this prestigious honor from the Stop Foodborne Illness organization,” says Jessica Dolinsky, Director of Category Strategy ‑ Food Safety & Quality at Nelson-Jameson. “This honor is evidence of Celina's dedication to helping improve food safety, and she consistently embodies the Nelson-Jameson values in serving customers and consumers and playing a role in protecting our country’s food supply.”

STOP Foodborne Illness’s "40 Food Safety Professionals Under 40" program honors up-and-coming food safety professionals between 18 and 39 who have made significant contributions to food safety and food safety culture in their respective fields while demonstrating leadership potential. Honorees are chosen for their ability to influence the industry, advance science and technology, and shape a stronger food safety culture.

At Nelson-Jameson, To supports the food industry to operationalize rapid food diagnostic solutions. She provides training, troubleshooting, and consultation on lab products and new technologies, with the goal of reducing costs and turnaround times to streamline lab operations and improve food safety culture. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science (Cal Poly SLO) and Master of Science in Food Microbiology (Purdue), and continues to play an active role in scientific committees and working groups at the Washington Association for Food Protection, Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists, International Association for Food Protection, and the International Organization for Standardization.

"This recognition is not only a reflection of my journey, but also of the mentors, colleagues, and food producers/processors who inspire me daily. My goal is to amplify the voices of those often overlooked in food safety—veterinarians/agronomists, sanitation and plant operators, and supply chain workers—while ensuring our industry continues to invest in science, innovation, and a culture of accountability for the good of public health."

To view the complete list of winners of the 2025 "40 Food Safety Professionals Under 40", visit https://stopfoodborneillness.org/alliance/40-under-40/. 

Other winners of the honor include candidates from organizations such as US Foods, Neogen, Taco Bell, Politico, Food Allergy Canada, Kerry Ingredients, the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences, and more.

Learn more about Nelson-Jameson's food safety experts here.