Janette McDonald

Given the alarming failure rate of most new food and beverage products, Janette McDonald’s mission is to “get it right the first time”.

She opened Janette McDonald Consulting in Brisbane in 2007 to fill a crucial gap in the industry. At the time, Janette realised there were few independent experts with broad ranging experience  across commodities that startups to large food manufacturers could afford to call on and trust for advice.

Leveraging her 24 years of experience, Janette McDonald Consulting provides sound technical expertise in food science, nutrition, and food safety, training in specialist areas, and consults to businesses across all food commodities.

Our clients’ success stems directly from our commitment to reviewing their particular circumstances with due diligence, providing practical and effective solutions and having the capability to design and deliver appropriate and customised training and business improvement strategy where needed.

Clients also rely on our Lean Manufacturing approach and Stage GateTM strategic management tools to help them bring new products to the market efficiently and profitably.

Janette has worked for iconic brands such as Arnotts Biscuits, Richfood Dairy (USA), Reckitt and Colman Foods, and Lindgren Pty Ltd (now Kerry Ingredients). Later, through Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and QMI Solutions Pty Ltd, she honed her food technology skills, leading major improvements to various industries and agribusiness, delivering training to build capacity and improve business practice, and trained organisations in Lean Product Development principles for New Product Development.

A graduate of Australian National, Deakin and Western Sydney Universities, Janette continues to deliver sessional lectures and supervise the practical classes in product development at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus to Food Science and Nutrition undergraduates and masters students.

She has a Cert IV in Training and Education, delivering Cert 3 and 4 in food processing and food safety and the Diploma in Management. Janette is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and supports various food industry bodies such as FIAQ and the Queensland Cook Chill Association. 

She is a Director on The Hunger Project Australia's Queensland Development Board.

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