About
I am a international food science and technology professional. Continualy seeking professional development and career advancing roles in management and food safety consulting in the Food Industry. I am an effective team player with over a decade of multidomain experience in the Food Science field. I am an effective communicator and I excel at collaborating with cross-disciplinary team members to deliver prime quality results.
Transatlantic Food Science Expert
- Personal and Professional Website: www.raphaelsamson.com
- Portfolio and Project Website: www.freshgroupglobal.com
- Phone Number: +358 (40) 664 7277
- Degree: Master of Science and Technology
- Email: raphaelsamson110@gmail.com
- Email: raphael.samson@freshgroupglobal.com
- Contract work: Available
- Employee position offer: Available
I have interdisciplinary food science and technology expertise in the domain of food processing, food safety and food quality management systems, food chemistry and biochemistry, food microbiology, nutrition, sensory evaluation, food development and food engineering. My training has developed my expertise in several areas of food process technology, including and not limited to cereal technology, brewing, baking, winemaking, fruit juice development and manufacturing, dairy product development and manufacturing, quality control and preservation of agricultural produce.
I can apply knowledge from other engineering fields, including chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, process and engineering drawing, and mathematics in my endeavours. This makes me effective in working together with engineers in other fields in collaborative work and projects.
Skills
My skills highlighted here were earned from my educational background, pieces of training, work, and life experiences.
Resume
Raphael Samson is a Food science and technology expert. He is skilled in the domain of food processing, food chemistry, food development, food quality and food safety management system, food engineering, food innovation research and development. Humble, reliable, creative, collaborative, and driven.
Summary
Raphael Samson
Raphael is an effective communicator and excel at collaborating with cross-functional team members to deliver prime quality results.
- Turku – Finland.
- Phone number: +358 (40) 664 7277.
- raphaelsamson110@gmail.com
- raphael.samson@freshgroupglobal.com
Education and training
Professional degree of Expertise in planning and launching business operations
2021
The Finnish Institute for Enterprise Management (In Finnish: Suomen Yrittäjäopisto Oy)
Master of Science & Technology in Food Development
2016 - 2018
University of Turku, Finland
Master's thesis title:The fundamental effect of ingredients on the pasting and retrogradation properties of tapioca and corn starch in excess and limited water solvation medium.
Please click to read short article on EuroFoodChem conference 2017
Please click to download and read published master's thesis work
Please click to download and read published master's thesis poster
Please click to read article on master's thesis
Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Technology
2010-2016
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
Bachelor's thesis title:The engineering properties of maize, millet and sorghum ogi.
- Developed an idea for elongating the shelf life of a well known and consumed staple food in West Africa—Nigeria, called Ogi, which was sold on wet basis.
- Carried out a proximate analysis of a different variety of Ogi samples.
- Compared different drying kinetics and concluded on the most suitable dehydration method for the types of Ogi samples investigated.
- Developed a standard unit operation flow aimed at industrialization of powdered maize, millet and sorghum Ogi. This serves as a blueprint for the standard of operation for the industrial powdered Ogi production.
- The project made data available for predicting, designing and selecting appropriate equipment for industrialization and commercialization of different varieties of powdered Ogi.
- Developed different recipes and created different flavours of maize, millet and sorghum Ogi.
Career related professional experience
Lead Food Safety and Quality Consultant | Portfolio Manager | Independent Contractor
June, 2022 - Present, 2024
Freshgroup - Company website : www.freshgroupglobal.com
Fresh Group is a private company established in Finland in June 2022. The main business activities of Fresh Group company are food quality and safety consultation service, Airbnb rental and taxi service.
- Founded and leading the operations of a food safety and quality consulting company, delivering compliance solutions to food and beverage companies across the EU and USA, resulting in improved regulatory compliance and reduced recall risks by up to 35% through targeted and tailored audits, training, and corrective action planning.
- Leading thorough root cause investigations into food safety incidents, enabling clients to identify systemic failures and implement corrective actions, resulting in an average 40% reduction in repeat non-conformities.
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with regulatory authorities, industry bodies, and international food safety networks, accelerating client approvals and certifications by up to 25% faster than industry averages.
- Conducting Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits for diverse food sectors, with 95% of audited clients achieving certification or improved compliance ratings within 12 months.
- Performing in-depth food safety gap analyses, producing targeted recommendations that elevate client audit scores by an average of 20–30%.
- Virtually training and certifying food safety professionals in HACCP, ensuring compliance with Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FDA-FSMA), United States Department of Agriculture – Food Safety Inspection Services (USDA-FSIS), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Finnish Food Safety Authorities (Ruokavirasto), Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements, increasing workplace competency and regulatory readiness.
- Developing FDA-FSMA compliant food safety plans and European Union (EU) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs, contributing to achieving 100% successful inspection outcomes with zero major non-conformities.
- Advising food companies on resolving food safety complaints and preventing recalls.
- Designing and implementing food traceability and recall plans, thereby conducting realistic mock recalls that improve food business recall readiness and response times by over 40%.
- Providing expert witness testimony based on scientific, technical, and legally relevant facts in food safety litigation, contributing to favorable outcomes in cases supported.
- Delivering detailed, actionable reports and fostering trusted, long-term partnerships with food companies, achieving a 90% retention rate.
PROJECT RESEARCHER
October 2019- December, 2022
Please watch project video
Food Science Unit, University of Turku, Finland
Macroalgae cultivation could facilitate nutrient uptake from the Baltic Sea and simultaneously produce sustainable raw materials, thereby addressing the issue of eutrophication. The Growing Algae Sustainably as a Source of Food and Feed project (Acronym: GRASS project) was an EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region (BSR) program aimed at building capacity to unlock the potential of using macroalgae as a sustainable biomass source for the food, feed, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Led collaborative research across 12+ international industry partners within the EU Interreg GRASS project, ensuring 100% adherence to project milestones and regulatory compliance across an approximately €2M capacity building program to advance sustainable macroalgae utilization for food and feed applications.
- Designed and executed a novel Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) method, achieving 86% phlorotannin recovery from Fucus vesiculosus (Brown macroalgae specie), improving bioactive compound yield by over 25% over conventional methods. Hence, developed an optimized phlorotannin-based food ingredient process technology prototype in alignment with EU regulatory, safety, and sustainability standards.
- Authored and delivered 10+ technical and progress reports to project stakeholders, resulting in improved decision-making and accelerated project timelines by 20%.
- Co-authored three (3) peer-reviewed policy papers and publications, directly informing EU-level discussions on sustainable aquaculture and marine biomass valorization.
- Implemented project management systems ensuring 100% milestone completion on schedule and alignment with EU regulatory, safety, and sustainability standards.
Supported the development of algae-based food and feed products projected to increase local economic growth by €1M+ annually through sustainable aquaculture and functional ingredient commercialization.
Food Safety Expert
November 2018- September, 2019
Nestlé Finland
- Inspected 100% of incoming raw materials and coordinated with cooking process operators, ensuring full compliance with safety and quality standards across all production lines.
- Led internal food safety audits and hazard analyses for the factory’s supply and production chain, reducing non-conformances by 45% within one year.
- Analyzed customer complaints data, enabling rapid batch traceability, resulting in faster corrective actions and a 95% reduction in complaints, preventing potential product recalls.
- Led root cause investigations into mold-contaminated products using Lean Six Sigma DMAIC, HACCP, GMP, and GHP methodologies, driving measurable process improvements across the factory.
- Applied the EU food safety legislation compliance framework and food safety management systems, achieving 100% regulatory compliance during third-party inspections.
- Implemented process optimizations, enhanced worker training programs, and corrective actions, preventing product loss and generating €4.5M in estimated annual cost savings for the factory.
Project Lead (Industrial Master’s Thesis)
March 2018- November, 2018
Nestlé Finland
- Directed a five (5) member team investigating textural and organoleptic inconsistencies in puree-starch-based baby food, achieving reproducible quality improvements across all tested batches.
- Utilized GC-FID analysis to quantify sugars and acids, developing starch model solutions that reduced formulation deviations by 25% during pilot, test, and actual production runs.
- Investigated starch pasting and retrogradation properties using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), identifying process parameters that improved product consistency by 30%.
- Engineered cooking models to correct food quality deviations, enabling process optimization and serving as a technical blueprint for two (2) new product lines.
- Delivered a successful project outcome that directly contributed to a rebranding initiative, strengthening market share, and supporting over €5M in additional sales in year 2019 alone.
- Implemented recommendations that shortened product development timelines by 15%, accelerating time-to-market for new baby food formulations.
Please click to download and read published master's thesis work
Please click to read article on thesis published on The professional and scientific journal of the Food Science Society
Face-to-Face (F2F) Fundraiser and Team Leader
August 2017 - November 2018
UNICEF Finland rf
- Managed the Turku fundraising team in delivering pitches and presentations to secure emergency funds for UNICEF programmes worldwide, supporting both child protection initiatives and long-term development work.
- Organized and facilitated training sessions, promotional programs, and workshops to enhance team skills, performance, and campaign effectiveness.
- Structured shift schedules and provided systematic supervision to ensure optimal team performance during working hours.
Assistant Project Researcher
May 2017- August, 2017
University of Turku, Finland
- Administered to scientific experiments on biological samples from healthy male Sprague Dawley rats that had undergone bioassay.
- Spearheaded experimental analyses of >120 biological sample, optimizing GC-FID workflows to achieve 25% faster lipid quantification while maintaining data accuracy within ±3% repreoducibility across replicates.
- Improved lipid extraction and methylation protocols, enhancing fatty acid recovery rates by 18%, directly increasing realiability of DHA bioavailability measurements.
- Led data validation and statistical interpretation that identified ~35% higher DHA adsorption from sn-2 TAG configurations, a key finding later incorporated into a peer-reviewed publication.
- Coordinated a cross-functional collaboration of 5 senior researchers and industrial partners, aligning analytical methologies that reduced result variance by 20% and strengthened academic industry partnerships.
- Delivered data-driven presentation to >40 academic and industry stakeholders, translating complex lipid metabolism findings into actionable insights that expanded research visibility and attracted €50K in follow-up funding.
- Initiated and documented standardized GC-FID calibration protocols, later adopted group-wide, reducing troubleshooting time by 30% and ensuring reproducibility for future DHA absorption studies.
Please click to read published article from research project
Brewing Industrial Trainee
March- June, 2015
Heineken Breweries, Plc., Lagos brewery
- Enhanced process traceability by designing structured brewing logs that improved data accuracy and reporting effiency by 25%, enabling faster troubleshooting of process deviations.
- Supported brewing optimization by monitoring key process variables (temperature, pH, gravity) across 20+ batches, contributing to a 10% reduction in work losses and improved yield consistency.
- Collaborated with the Quality Control team to conduct 50+ analytical and microbiological tests weekly. Strengthening batch release accuracy and maintaining 100% compliance with internal quality standards.
- Championed hygiene compliance during Clean-in-Place (CIP) operations, ensuring full sanitation of brewing vessels and pipeline, helping the team sustain zero contamination incidents throughout the training period.
- Analyzed fermentation performance using attenuation curves and yeast viability data, identifying minor process deviations that informed adjustments later employed by the shift supervisor team.
- Recognized by departmental leadership for exceptional attention to detail and process understanding, leading to inclusion in a trainee-led improvement initiative that proposed three (3) SOP updates for brewhouse monitoring and documentation.
Portfolio
Staying compliant with evolving food safety regulations is critical for business success. We make this process easier with expert, tailored support designed to meet complex regulatory requirements across global markets. Our comprehensive consultation services ensure your food business upholds the highest standards of safety, compliance, and quality. We help food and beverage companies navigate regulations with confidence while building strong, audit-ready systems tailored to their operations.
Services offered via Fresh Group - Food Safety and Quality Expert value proposition
Enhance your food business with our tailored services, designed to elevate food safety, improve product quality, and boost operational efficiency for long-term compliance and success.
HACCP training and certification
Our HACCP training and certification program equips your team with essential knowledge and skills to identify, manage, and prevent food safety hazards, ensuring our focus markets, the United States of America (USA), European Union (EU) and Canadian food safety compliance and consumer safety.
U.S. Food Industry Regulation Compliance Consultation Service
Tailored consulting to help food and beverage companies—both U.S.-based and international—navigate complex FDA and USDA-FSIS regulations and streamline compliance.
European Food Safety Authorities (EFSA) Consultation Service
Specialized consulting to help food and beverage companies navigate EFSA regulations and EU Member State laws, ensuring compliance with the EU’s strict food safety, labeling, and quality standards.
Country/National-Specific Food Safety Regulation Compliance Consultation Service
Country-specific consulting to help global food and beverage companies navigate diverse international food safety regulations and ensure compliance with local standards.
FSMA Food Safety Plans Development Support Service
We help develop tailored FSMA-compliant HARPC food safety plans tailored to your operations, incorporating the latest regulations and best practices to ensure comprehensive food safety across your supply chain.
HACCP Food Safety Plans Development Support Service
We help implement HACCP plans that comply with regulatory and industry standards, ensuring product safety, legality, and quality.
Food Labelling Compliance Support Services
We offer comprehensive food labeling support to ensure your products meet legal requirements and effectively communicate key information to customers.
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) Compliance Support Services
We help food manufacturers meet strict FDA cGMP standards, ensuring compliance, product safety, and consumer trust.
Allergen Management and Control Services
We support food businesses in implementing effective allergen management systems that meet regulatory standards and protect consumer health and trust.
Food Safety Root Cause Analysis Support Services
We provide expert Root Cause Analysis support to help food businesses resolve underlying issues and implement effective CAPAs for sustained food safety and quality improvement.
Continuous Quality Assurance Support Service package
We deliver tailored Quality Assurance support to help food businesses consistently uphold the highest standards of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Recall and Traceability Services
We provide expert support to strengthen recall readiness and traceability systems, enabling food businesses to respond swiftly, protect public health, and uphold regulatory compliance.
Supplier Approval and Third-Party Food Safety Audits & Inspection Service
We support food and beverage businesses with expert supplier approval, third-party audits, and inspections to ensure regulatory compliance, product integrity, and a safe, reliable supply chain.
Food Safety Gap Analysis Service
We identify weaknesses in your current systems, providing actionable insights to improve compliance, strengthen food safety, and boost operational performance.
Expert Witness Support Services
We provide Expert Witness Services for legal cases involving food safety, quality, and compliance, offering objective, evidence-based analysis and testimony to support clear, informed decisions.
Testimonials
Raphael was attached to our brewing department where he was exposed to both theoretical and practical aspects of brewing operations. We found him to be diligent in his duties.
Marie Sebatigita
Human resource business partner
I had the privilege to work with Raphael in F2F Fundraising. Raphael was always enthusiastic, passioned about the cause, persistent and focused. Also, he was easy to work with as he learned quickly, followed all the instructions and was very respectful towards his colleagues and the potential donors. While Raphael took his work seriously, he didn’t lack sense of humour. Raphael is a kind, driven and intelligent person and I am sure he will be successful in every task he undertakes and wish him all the best for future endeavours.
Sirja Seppä
F2F Support and F2F Recruitment Coordinator, UNICEF Finland
I was impressed by Raphael’s ability to handle any situation calmly and patiently as a team leader, specifically when the fundraising team was underperforming. His natural skill of providing constructive criticism to advance individual performance was noteworthy. He also made sure that no one leaves the intense work session without a smile and such professional dedication of him is truly applause-worthy!
Najmus Sayeed
Former Coordinator at Suomen UNICEF,UNICEF Finland
Now Legal and Compliance Professional at Finnplay.
Raphael managed an incredible work performance with 24 fulfilled pledge donors, the highest in the entire campaign. From the office team we wish to extend a massive thank you to Raphael for his incredible work.
Joel Nelson
Finnish UNICEF Face to Face manager
Raphael was very hard working and proactive in all his duties. He was always keen to learn new things and increase his knowledge.
Raphael was also appointed to carry out an investigation as part of the mould reduction project. The work included data analysis, risk evaluation and identification of the possible issues. The DMAIC tool was applied in this work, which he utilized well to comprise the major subjects in baby food manufacturing process. Raphael showed great punctuality in project scheduling and systematic working skills to finalize the project in time. His observations were comprehensive and showed good ability in creative thinking.
Marko Silanterä
Production manager at Nestle Finland
Raphael is an asset to any team he belongs. As a student, he served in the student association diligently. He does not shy away from responsibilities. He served as an alumnus on the LOC for the 50th anniversary of the department. He was one of the few invited to serve. He was amazing in coordination, fundraising and getting things done. I see him going places in the future.
Kehinde Taiwo
Professor of Food Processing, Food and Agricultural Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University
Raphael conducted his thesis research in collaboration with Nestlé's production facility in Turku. His insights and contributions were invaluable in optimizing the production processes, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency in the commercial production of baby food.
Raphael is not only a skilled researcher, but also a great team player and communicator. He collaborated effectively with students, researchers, and industry partners during his thesis project. He always delivered his tasks on time and with high quality. He also presented his results clearly and convincingly to different audiences, both verbally and in writing. He has a passion for learning and innovation, and he possesses a rare natural curiosity to delve deeply into new subjects and acquire comprehensive knowledge.
Jani Trygg
Advanced Data Scientist
Research & Development at PAROC Group / Owens Corning
Before I started working with Raphael, I had always kept my writing to myself, and mostly limited to helping friends with projects and assignments. The idea of sharing my thoughts publicly felt intimidating. As an introvert, I constantly battled the fear of making mistakes, especially in a field as fact-driven as food safety. I worried about being called out if I got something wrong, and that held me back from expressing my voice. But working with Raphael changed everything. Raphael created a space where I felt safe to step out of my shell and embrace not only writing for the public but also the vulnerability that comes with it. With Raphael's support, I learned to welcome feedback, grow from it, and own my voice with confidence. That shift was monumental for me, both professionally and personally. Thank you, Raphael, for helping me take that leap.
Oluwatobi Eniyandunmo
New Product Development Technologist at Freddy Hirsch Nigeria
Raphael helped our Food Safety and Quality Management team to identify root causes for mould consumer complaints. He has finalised also his master thesis for us.
As a person Raphael is very positive and sunny and especially polite.
If you consider hiring Raphael as expert for Quality team or other similar kind of specialist or expert roles I can clearly recommend to do so. I believe he will deliver what is agreed always with a caring attitude.
Sari Miettinen-Rantala
Factory Manager at Nestlé Turku
I have had the distinct privilege of mentoring Raphael. His calm demeanour, self-motivation, and Midas touch of excellence make him a beacon of inspiration in the Food Science and Technology Industry. With little need for supervision, Raphael's innate ability to tackle seemingly impossible tasks ensures that deadlines are met, and objectives are exceeded.
Raphael's intelligence is unparalleled, complemented by impeccable analytical and communication skills that shine brightly. His command of the English language is exemplary, reflecting his passion for effective communication and knowledge sharing.
Approving Raphael is not just an acknowledgment of his accomplishments but an investment in a future marked by innovation, excellence, and compassion. With Raphael on your side, you are assured of nothing less than brilliance and transformation.
Olori Ademola
Operations Manager at UAC Foods Limited, Lagos Nigeria
Raphael's dedication to excellence and continuous professional development is evident through their pursuit of additional degree and certifications and ongoing participation in relevant conferences and seminars. His commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements and industry trends showcases his determination to excel in his field and contribute to the overall improvement of food safety practices. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Raphael at his Food Safety Consultation start-up. Throughout our professional collaboration, he has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of food safety regulations, standards, and best practices. He has displayed a remarkable ability to analyse complex food safety issues and devise practical and effective solutions. His attention to detail, analytical mindset, and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on the success of our projects.
Ewaoluwa Ojo
Quality Manager at Dani Organic Foods Ltd., United Kingdom
Contact Us. Thank you very much.
Location:
Turku, Finland.
Personal Email:
Work Email:
Call:
+358 (40) 664-7277