Celina To is a Food Safety and Quality Specialist, working closely with the Lab Products Department at Nelson-Jameson to support the food industry during the implementation and adoption of food diagnostic solutions through a broad assortment of lab supplies and equipment. She provides training, troubleshooting, and consultation on lab products and new technologies at food safety labs, with the goal of reducing costs and turnaround times to streamline lab operations and improve efficiency. Celina's expertise in application development and method validation, following AOAC, ISO, USDA MLG, FDA BAM, and CDC PulseNet guidelines, is vital in delivering solutions that help users meet global regulatory compliance.
With 14 years of experience spanning undergraduate and graduate studies, internships, and the workforce, Celina brings extensive knowledge to her role. Prior to joining Nelson-Jameson, she held various positions including research assistant, quality assurance supervisor, regional technical support and sales manager, and global commercial development and segment marketing manager. She has co-authored several papers and scientific abstracts, some of which were published on Frontiers in Microbiology, Handbook of Cell Biosensors, AOAC and IAFP Program. She has also been featured in Food Manufacture, Food Quality & Safety Magazine, and as a guest speaker at GenomeWeb and Global Microbial Identifier GM14.
Celina holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from California Polytechnic State University and a Master of Science in Molecular Food Microbiology from Purdue University. She is currently a board member in the Washington Association for Food Protection (WAFFP), a member of the Microbiology Committee in the Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists (IFTPS), a member of several professional development groups in the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), and a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Horizontal Methods for Molecular Biomarker Analysis Committee. Her unique strength lies in her experience as a solutions provider, attaining a deep understanding of the dynamics between the public and private sector within the food industry. This perspective, combined with her technical fluency in food microbiology and quality assurance, allows her to communicate the science behind commercial products, simplify lab training, and empower users to choose the best method that is fit for purpose within their environmental monitoring (EMP) and food safety quality assurance (FSQA) program.
November 11, 2025Oregon
The Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental sanitation principles and addresses contemporary challenges in food safety. General sessions cover topics of broad interest, while specialized breakout sessions offer both basic and advanced tracks for in-depth exploration.
Recognize and address possible hygiene and sanitation challenges based on the cleaning and material handling equipment available in your facility. Through a discovery call, virtual, or on-site assessment, Vikan SQF Practitioner certified specialists will assist in confirming that your system and cleaning tool inventory aligns with your risk management objectives while pinpointing any missing tools and enhancing maintenance and usage practices. Evaluate whether your existing tools are utilized in the most effective manner, or determine if a more suitable tool exists for the task at hand. Ensure that your tools comply with all relevant standards and regulatory requirements. Site evaluations encompass a summary survey, an overview of the location, a color-coded factory layout plan, product suggestions, a recommended order form, and a proposal for a follow-up survey.
This is a comprehensive program for the food processing industry. Nelson-Jameson brings together the most extensive collection of color-coded products for material handling, product handling, janitorial, safety, apparel, QA/QC, and metal-detectable applications. With the right pieces, a color-coding system is a powerful tool in preventing cross-contamination of allergens and food-borne illnesses that can lead to sickness or expensive product recalls.
Food safety is crucial in protecting consumers, and understanding how to ensure your program scales alongside your business is crucial in maintaining success. A program isn’t merely a matter of compliance; food safety is an ongoing initiative that must meet current demands and proactively stay ahead of emerging challenges.
Streamline indicator organism laboratory testing with ready-to-use Petrifilm Plates with no prep time required.
Get Petrifilm Certified through our complimentary immersive workshop for managers, personnel, and teams. The workshop offers practical knowledge through hands-on training and networking with industry professionals and experts. Attendees gain an in-depth understanding of Petrifilm technology and valuable insights into effective environmental monitoring practices. Participants leave with a certification and a wealth of resources that can significantly contribute to elevating their plant's quality control standards.
Get Dry Cleaning Certified through our complimentary immersive food safety-focused workshop for managers, personnel, and teams.
Ensure the safety and quality of your products with allergen detection solutions. Undeclared allergens continue to be the top reason for food recalls in the United States.1 If you have a risk for allergen cross-contact in your facility, Neogen Allergen Testing Products can help mitigate your risks. By incorporating allergen testing into your validation, verification, and positive release programs, you insure the safety of both your customers and business.
Using metal-detectable or x-ray detectable items and following industry guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of product contamination, maximizing food safety and ensuring the integrity of your product.
