About
Debra K.W. Topham,
Director & Chief Scientist
Debra K.W. Topham, MS, CNS, specializes in reviewing food, beverage, meat, poultry, and dietary supplement labels for compliance to FDA, FTC, and USDA regulations. This includes recommending to domestic and international clients any appropriate nutrient, health and product claims based on supported science and regulations. She founded knowledge bank in 2002.
knowledge bank’s director is a classically trained food and nutrition professional with the solid experience of a corporate research scientist and home economist. Debra is recognized as a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) for her advanced educational degrees and significant contributions to the fields of food and nutrition. She is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society.
From 2006-2009, Debra helped launch the labeling and nutrition program of 2,000 products in three years for the Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market grocery chain, the USA division of Tesco PLC. She was also responsible for the adaptation and training of the Tesco Technical Library to monitor all generations of private-label formulas for due diligence and aided in product monitoring for retail store recalls and artwork generation. This software portal is now the standard for other major grocery retailers.
Debra served as project manager for human clinical research studies, scientific symposia, and nutrition conferences, especially on botanicals, plant concentrates, and human nutrition. Debra participated in more than 20 human clinical trials at multiple sites in 5 countries of the world. The Botanical Education Workshops, the Photochemical Conference: Today’s Knowledge–Tomorrow’s Products, and the Nagano (Japan) Scientific Symposium on Sports Science are representative of the technical conferences Ms. Topham coordinated. Among her many publications, she edited two internationally known books, Phytochemicals: A New Health Paradigm and Phytochemicals as Bioactive Agents by Technomic Publishing Inc. (now CRC Press).
Debra lectures at Chapman University (Orange, CA) covering food and nutrition topics along with regulatory-labeling for undergraduates and graduates in the Food Science & Nutrition Program. She is an invited lecturer at California Polytechnic University-Pomona, CSU-Northridge, CSU-LA, University of Southern California Regulatory Affairs Program (Los Angeles), and the Southern California Section of IFT.
I have had the pleasure of working with Debra and Knowledge Bank numerous times over the years. Her knowledge of regulatory requirements has been a key asset for me in the development and optimization of my clients’ products. I know I can count on the accuracy of her information and the timeliness of her response. She is a true professional in every sense of the term.
-- Barry Weinstein. Food Process Engineer
Besides being very well-versed in the technical aspects of her profession, Debra is an extremely approachable person. It isn't often that you find a person with both that level of technical competency with an engaging personality to match. I highly recommend Debra for any of your business needs. She is a true professional in every sense of the word.
-- Kurt Schneider. Consultant & Former Vice President Research & Development
Debra is very professional and detail oriented. She is an expert in her field and will help you take your business to the next level. She was hired by many of my vendors while I was at Trader Joe's for her labeling expertise and I had the privilege of working with her at Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. Her knowledge of government compliance as it relates to food and supplement labeling is extensive. She would be a strong asset to every company she assists.
-- Annette Davidson. Consultant & Former Vice President of Operations