In 1992 LOF developed the “Seek and Destroy” Mission that combined equipment disassembly, evaluation of sanitary design, microbiological sampling for both harborage sites and growth niches as well as GMP Compliance during both sanitation and production.  This tool was used to define level of normal and periodic disassembly.  Major RTE construction events in the mid late 90’s led to the creation of Construction Process Control Policies and Guidelines which are a part of the NAMI Listeria Workshop.  COP Pasteurization of parts disassembled, and operator tools was implemented in the late 90’s. At the same time period heat pasteurization of large equipment was deployed to provide an intervention for all RTE equipment.

Dr. Butts was one of the founders of the NAMI Listeria Intervention and Control Workshop in 2000 as well as the United Fresh – Produce Marketing Assoc. Lm Workshop in 2017.  John was also a member of the NAMI Facility Design Task Force. The NAMI workshops continue to be sold out as the processed meat industry continues to be the forerunner within the food industry in Listeria Intervention and Control.  The Seek and Destroy Environmental Pathogen Control Process has been taught in all NAMI Lm Workshops.  It was first published in 2003. A peer reviewed publication was published in 2015 by Thomas J. V. Malley, John Butts, and Martin Wiedmann, in the Journal of Food Protection. John has served on Board of Directors, Advisory Boards, and Committees for trade organizations and clients.  He remains active with Food Safety By Design Consulting.

Awards Received Include:

§  2016 NSF Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the Food Safety Summit

§  2020 Induction into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame