Let’s meet Alyssa Brett who has been with FSS for over 6 years!
Alyssa hails from the East coast of Canada, where she graduated with a degree in Dietetics and a post grad degree in Food Safety from Memorial University. Prior to joining Food Safety Solutions, she held various food safety related positions for a national brewery, federal meat plant and a large produce packhouse operation. Now that she is working with FSS, she has added experience in commodities such as fruit and vegetable production and processing, beverage manufacturing, egg grading and baking. Alyssa has a strong background in GFSI programs, such as SQF – in fact she is a certified SQF Auditor. Alyssa is also our specialist in organic manufacturing, and is a certified organic auditor. Alyssa enjoys the variety of work that being a consultant and auditor brings. She loves learning about different processes and helping clients who are passionate about their products.
Let’s get to know Alyssa a little better:
What was your first job in the food industry?
Besides my work term in a large brewery laboratory, my first full time job in the food industry was in a small facility that made cabbage rolls, various pastas, and sauces. This was a great learning experience as I was in charge of all aspects of the food safety program. I loved having multiple roles in the facility which made every day a little bit different.
What is the furthest you’ve had to travel for this job? Are there any travel adventures or misadventures that you have had?
Since starting with FSS I’ve actually worked coast to coast across Canada from Comox, BC to Robinsons, NL. As far as travel for a day’s work; I’ve traveled to northern Alberta where I’ve taken a 2 hr flight, only to still have a 6.5 hour drive to get to a site.
I’ve been relatively lucky in not having too many travel misadventures other than having to spend 4-6 hours in the airport waiting for flights, but a few years ago. I had to travel to northern Alberta again and had taken a flight from Calgary to Edmonton then Edmonton to High Level on a small plane. After my audit I went back to the airport only to see no planes in sight. Apparently, there was freezing rain so no flights got in that day and I ended up having to drive more than 5 hours to a larger city to be able to get on a flight home at 6am the next day.
Please share a top consulting client success story.
I think the best client success stories are when my clients can make it through their third-party audit on their own without my help. I always strive to have my clients be as self-sufficient and informed as possible and really empower them to take control over their own food safety program.
What is your food safety superpower?
My superpower is probably being able to work successfully across a wide range of commodities and certification types! I have some unique experience and training in niche areas such as plant-based meat alternatives, natural health products and cannabis; and with a variety of certification types such as Organic, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, and Vegan. I love working in new and complex situations with different products that don’t always “fit the mold”.
What do you love most about working with FSS?
You mean besides working with an amazingly supportive and knowledgeable group of women? My favourite thing about this job is the variety! No two weeks are ever the same. Having a mix of consulting and auditing really helps hone my skills and keep me on my game. I really enjoy traveling to new areas and exploring this beautiful country!
What do you do when you’re not keeping food safe?
I love to spend time with my husband and our two dogs; doing anything outdoors. I play soccer year-round, enjoy snowboarding in the winter and love hiking all other seasons. I love the outdoors so much I even got married on the top of a mountain.
