Across the United States, the intersecting worlds of food safety and veterinary medicine face pressures unlike any in recent memory. An evolving regulatory environment, increasing public health demands, and an ongoing shortage of specialized professionals have combined to create persistent vulnerabilities. Federal data show that tens of millions of Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses each year, often linked to products of animal origin. At the same time, rural regions and even urban centers grapple with limited access to veterinarians trained in food safety and regulatory oversight, shortages that federal agencies warn could threaten both supply chain integrity and disease prevention efforts.
In this landscape, Healthy Food Consulting LLC will enter as a consulting and training organization focused on bridging gaps in compliance, operational efficiency, and workforce readiness. While headquartered in Miami, the company will plan to operate nationally, engaging with veterinary clinics, food processors, animal shelters, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Its mission will center on helping clients meet rigorous safety and welfare standards while improving their capacity to respond to evolving public health challenges.
In this context, Healthy Food Consulting will build on the career and expertise of its founder, Fernando Antonio Pereira- a Brazilian veterinarian with over three decades of experience spanning clinical practice, applied microbiology, and quality management systems. A graduate of the University of São Paulo’s veterinary program, Pereira brings a perspective shaped by years of hands-on work in both veterinary care and food safety. Indeed, over his eventful career Pereira has led large-scale training programs, developed sanitation protocols for major food retailers, and guided organizations through complex regulatory environments. This blend of field experience and technical knowledge will inform the company’s approach to serving clients across the country.
“I have seen firsthand how a lack of training or lapses in compliance can impact both public health and animal welfare,” Pereira says. “My goal is to give organizations practical tools and knowledge so they can meet standards, operate efficiently, and protect the communities they serve.”
Toward these stated goals, Pereira and his firm’s approach will be grounded in preventative measures and practical implementation. In the food safety sector, this will mean supporting businesses in meeting federal requirements such as those outlined in the Food Safety Modernization Act, offering guidance on hazard analysis, risk control points, and sanitation protocols. For veterinary and animal care facilities, it will involve conducting clinical quality audits, advising on workflow design, and providing capacity-building programs for staff. Healthy Food Consulting will also commit resources to support NGOs, sanctuaries, and public programs at no cost, reinforcing its role as a contributor to the public good.
It is hoped that the national reach of these services will be particularly relevant in addressing the veterinary workforce shortage in food safety roles. Fewer than five percent of veterinarians in the United States specialize in food animals, and many counties lack even one large-animal practitioner. The result is gaps in inspection, reduced oversight, and heightened risk of disease transmission. By offering consulting and training that integrate veterinary science with regulatory expertise, Healthy Food Consulting will aim to bolster the capabilities of both its own staff and its clients’ personnel.
Industry observers note that the future of food safety will depend on the ability to implement proactive systems and train a workforce capable of applying them in diverse contexts. Emerging technologies, climate pressures, and shifting consumer expectations will continue to add complexity to the task. In such an environment, organizations that can combine technical knowledge with operational guidance may hold a competitive and public health advantage.
Healthy Food Consulting’s model will seek to embody that combination. By uniting regulatory coaching, operational audits, and tailored training within one platform, the company will offer clients not only compliance solutions but also strategies for sustainable performance. In doing so, it will contribute to broader goals — reducing the incidence of foodborne illness, strengthening the veterinary role in public health, and improving the resilience of supply chains nationwide.
