Food Protection Trends - November/December 2021 - 651

BEYOND the BIO
admits he found a passion for food safety
and respect for the industry through that first
professional experience.
" It's never like I had an 'aha' moment, it was
more of an evolving thing, " recalls Bala. " I was
doing data analysis and learning microbiology
on the bench with other folks. So, the way I
understood microbiology was initially through
data analysis. A bit unconventional. "
Eventually, Bala was recruited by a division of
Kraft Foods, now known as Mondelez, where he
was presented with the opportunity to work with
experts in various product categories and also
working in different countries.
" There were so many experts, by product
category, that I got to work with and they helped me
demystify a research problem related to food safety,
break it down and then explain it to me in a way that
I not only understood the problem but also used
that guidance to implement food safety standards
at the manufacturing facilities, " Bala recalls. " Kraft
Foods was an institute, I got a great experience and
exposure, and a few years later I was presented the
opportunity to work for Conagra Brands. "
Bala would spend the next nine years at
Conagra Brands where he worked to diversify
his experience through implementation of food
safety plans, developing food safety programs
and advising changes and improvements to
critical food safety policies and procedures.
" Working at Conagra Brands, I learned the
hierarchy of decision making follows the order -
public health, brand reputation and shareholder
value, " Bala said. " If you make your business
decisions in that order, it will help our team as
well as the company move in the right direction. "
And it was that logic and experience that has
now led him to work for a leading, worldwide
food and general merchandise retailer -
Walmart. Since early 2021, Bala has served as
the Director of Food Safety Science - U.S. and
Global for Walmart.
" Walmart is filling the missing color of my
rainbow of experience, " Bala admits. " The bulk
of my experience has been within food safety
and microbiology in the manufacturing space,
but I really wanted to gain experience in the
retail world and that's Walmart. "
When he's not working to improve food
safety on a global consumer level, Bala can be
found adding to his expansive list of hobbies.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD AND WHY?
A: If I have to pick one, it's Gobi 65 prepared by my wife. It's a delicious, deepfried
appetizer made with cauliflower, yogurt, herbs and spices.
Q: FAVORITE FOOD SAFETY TIP FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC?
A: Follow safe handwashing procedures, cook foods properly and store
cooked foods properly. That's three but if I can only say one, it's follow safe
handwashing. It's so critical.
Q: FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL?
A: Switzerland is on my mind, always. But of the favorite places I've already
visited is Orlando, Florida, and the cruise to the Caribbean.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR SPECIALTY DISH IN THE KITCHEN?
A: Potatoes fried. Not French fries, but I fry the potatoes in seasonings and spices.
Q: WHICH RUN WAS YOUR FAVORITE?
A: Market-to-Market relay. It's a 76-mile run with an 8-member team and
there are many things to like. Emphasizes teamwork and you have to be
mindful of your team members and help motivate them. It takes 10-12
hours and is so rewarding. So many lessons are learned that I can apply to
my professional life.
Q: FAVORITE VEGETABLE TO GROW?
A: Eggplant.
November/December Food Protection Trends 651
" I had a mentor once give me the advice to
try as many hobbies as possible, " Bala said. " I took
that advice and I keep adding one after another. It
really gives you a new perspective and new way of
looking at things as you try new things. "
Cooking, especially south Indian cuisine,
and growing an expansive vegetable garden are
just two of Bala's hobbies. He's also successfully
completed six half marathons and four 10K
runs. In addition, Bala has completed two
Market-to-Market relay races leading him
and his eight teammates through 76 miles of
Nebraska terrain.
Married with two children, Bala also enjoys
time at home watching basketball or football
and traveling with his family. Their son, age
13, takes a razzing from Bala as he roots for the
opposing team in almost any sporting event
they watch. And their daughter, age five, is the
first girl within the family in seven generations -
a point of pride for Bala.
" It's important to me to get that time with them
and to travel with them, " said Bala. " We've been to
India to visit family as well as many other places.
Our favorite trip was a cruise to the Caribbean. "
The global pandemic has hampered their
ability to travel but true to his unconventional
form, Bala has used his extra time at home to
pick up a new hobby as the handyman of the
house, completing smaller home repair and
décor projects. He is also using the pandemic to
widen his gaze into the world of food safety.
" The last year of the pandemic has taught us
not to assume anything; anything can happen, "
he said. " Given current environment, there are
a lot of things happening. E-commerce is taking
off and there are more choices for consumers
than before. There is a need to understand and
explore, in terms of food safety. "
Food Protection Trends - November/December 2021

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