Mr. Terry Dutko
Terry Dutko was named acting executive associate for laboratory services for the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in January 2025. In this role, Dutko heads three world class International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accredited FSIS Field Service Laboratories, the accompanying Laboratory Quality Assurance, Response and Coordination staff for the analysis of meat, poultry and egg products for known and emerging foodborne hazards. His duties directly support FSIS’ Strategic Goals – 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health, 2: Transform Inspection Strategies, Policies and Scientific Approaches to Improve Public Health and 3: Achieve Operational Excellence.
Dutko previously served as laboratory director for the OPHS Midwestern Laboratory. In this role, he coordinated world-class ISO 17025 accredited laboratory analytical services. These services supported the Agency’s farm-to-table strategies in the disciplines of chemistry and microbiology for food safety in meat, poultry and egg products. During his tenure, the laboratory system has integrated the most recent technologies to enhance all the flagship microbiology and chemical residue testing methods while introducing several new methods. Recent major program achievements include developing new methods of testing for chemical residues, Salmonella quantification, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Listeria. He has also represented FSIS as an alternate delegate on the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Contaminants in Foods.
Dutko’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (with research) in chemistry from Saint Louis University.