Jason Bashura joined PepsiCo in March 2014, as Sr. Mgr., Global Food Defense, following 6 years with FDA’s Food Defense team. Jason responsibilities at PepsiCo include aiding 125+ manufacturing sites with the development of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Intentional Adulteration (IA) Rule compliant Food Defense Plans; to that end he has completed more than 100 Vulnerability Assessments on a variety of food and beverage platforms across PepsiCo.
While with the U.S. FDA’s Food Defense Team (2008-13) Bashura was responsible for administering grants to state, local Tribal and territorial agencies to aid in the development of key food defense programs. Additionally, Jason was the project officer for multiple contracts and several projects tied to either food defense research or other FSMA angles related to food protection.
Prior to joining the FDA, Jason worked at the State of Connecticut’s Food Protection Program (2002-2004) where, as a Food “Bio-Security” Sanitarian, he participated in his first vulnerability assessment of a seafood processor in 2003. Bashura was responsible for outreach and training of certified food inspectors in general food defense awareness and performing risk-based food safety inspections.
As a public health emergency response coordinator for the Naugatuck Valley Health District (Connecticut / 2004-2008) Bashura oversaw the development of pandemic influenza, smallpox mass vaccination and anthrax mass dispensing clinic plans. Jason sought grant funds to aid in the development of the NVHD’s Medical Reserve Corps. During that time Bashura also served as a vice-chair and chairman of the Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, and served as a volunteer firefighter/EMY with the Derby Fire Department’s Storm Engine Co #2 and the Storm Engine Company Ambulance Corps.
Bashura completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Connecticut State University (1996) and his Master’s Degree studies in Public Health from the University of Connecticut in December 2001.
Outside of work, Jason is the father of two of the best kids in the world, and he’s very active with their school groups and sport teams; on occasion his daughter has been known to refer to him as “Coach Mr. Daddy.”
