John MacDonald retired as group manager of the Organic Laboratory at Nestle Purina PetCare of Nestlé Purina Analytical Laboratories last month. During his 39-year career, he was recognized as an industry leader in the areas of applying gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and spectroscopy to the determination of nutrients and contaminants in foods, feeds and ingredients.
During his career at Nestle Purina PetCare, MacDonald’s interests focused on the development and improvement of methods for mycotoxins, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and food contaminants. He was chair of the Approved Methods Technical Committee of AACC International from 1995 to 2000 where he focused on strengthening both technical committees and the method approval process. He was co-editor of the 10th edition of the AACC International Approved Methods of Analysis. He also served on numerous technical committees of AACC International and served as Chair of the Check Sample Committee at the time of his retirement. He was also a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Oil Chemists’ Society, and AOAC International.
As highlights of his career and recognition of his contribution to the industry, he was presented the Edith Christenson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Analytical Chemistry by AACCI in 2010. He was also co-recipient of the 2001 Collaborative Study of the Year from AOACI for work on an official method for measuring isoflavones in soy products.
Following MacDonald’s departure, Kathy Phillips has assumed additional responsibility and now heads up the entire Chemistry group within NPAL. Judy O’Brien continues as head Analytical and Research Microbiology.
