From Minnesota Farm Kid to Global Food Safety Champion: Dan Erickson's Three-Decade Journey

When Dan Erickson was growing up on a small family farm near Starbuck, Minnesota, he probably never imagined his future would involve traveling the globe to ensure that food processing equipment is built to a gold standard. But that's exactly what the newly honored 3-A SSI Leadership Service Award winner has been doing for over three decades—and the impact reaches far beyond what most people realize.

At May's 3-A SSI Summit on Hygienic Design, Erickson received recognition for contributions that have directly influenced food safety standards protecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. That's not hyperbole—it's the reality of how 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices shape food processing equipment design across the globe.

"Dan's service to 3-A SSI is nothing short of remarkable," says 3-A SSI Executive Director Meri Beth Wojtaszek. "His passion and extraordinary commitment have helped 3-A fulfill its mission to advance food safety through hygienic design. It's also inspiring others to become 3-A volunteers."

The Making of a Standards Pioneer

Erickson didn't just show up to meetings—he helped build the foundation. For more than 30 years, he's been instrumental in developing many of the 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices that equipment manufacturers worldwide follow today.

"While my experience with standards development predates 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc., I consider these years a privilege," Erickson reflects. "Being part of the formative years of the current organization and supporting its success well into the future—working with so many talented and dedicated people and witnessing the growth and food safety influence of 3-A SSI—that's the true reward."

His commitment goes beyond standards development. As one of the first to earn the 3-A SSI Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) designation, Erickson now serves as one of two 3-A SSI representatives on the Third-Party Verification Coordinating Committee's CCE group—a role that helps ensure consistent evaluation standards across the industry.

"Being part of the formative years of the current organization and supporting its success well into the future—working with so many talented and dedicated people and witnessing the growth and food safety influence of 3-A SSI—that's the true reward."

Building the Next Generation

What sets Erickson apart isn't just his technical expertise—it's his dedication to mentoring. He's known throughout the industry for his passion in teaching new sanitarians about hygienic equipment design fundamentals and 3-A SSI's crucial role in food safety.

Through leadership positions with the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) and the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association (UMDIA), Erickson has created pathways for others to follow. He continues representing UMDIA on the IAFP Affiliate Council, ensuring that regional perspectives inform national food safety discussions.

From Regulator to Global Advocate

Erickson's journey took him from nearly two decades with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to Harold Wainess & Associates in 2003, where he found his platform to advocate for hygienic design on a global scale.

Today, his work evaluating dairy processing equipment for Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance conformance and auditing facilities under the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) Grade "A" Milk Safety Program takes him around the world. Each evaluation becomes an opportunity to advocate for the fundamental concepts laid out in 3-A Sanitary Standards.

Now living in North St. Paul with his wife Tammy and two adult daughters, Erickson has built a legacy that extends far beyond his Minnesota roots.

Your Turn to Make an Impact

Erickson's story proves that individual dedication can create industry-wide change. The question is: what role will you play in advancing food safety through hygienic design?

Ready to get involved? Contact Meri Beth Wojtaszek, Executive Director of 3-A SSI, to explore how your expertise can help shape the future of food safety standards.