Amid the current climate of obesity-awareness in the U.S., Yum! Brands has created a new corporate role — “chief scientific, health, and regulatory affairs officer” — to oversee the development and implementation of programs for scientific and regulatory trade for all of Yum! Brands worldwide. The role will also support the implementation of health and nutrition programs around the globe, as well as the company’s animal welfare initiatives.

Dr. Al Baroudi has been appointed to fill the slot. According to Yum!, Baroudi has more than thirty years of domestic and international experience in agriculture and manufacturing, working with consumer products companies, the retail food industry, governmental agencies and professional institutions. His experience spans research and development, food safety, quality assurance and microbiology, and he also founded the Food Safety Institute. He reports to Joaquin Pelaez, svp product excellence, and Brian Riendeau, vp government and community affairs.

Baroudi “will play a critical role in leading the company’s strategic regulatory issues, including implementation of health and nutrition programs around the globe,” Pelaez said in a statement.

Baroudi holds Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees in Food Science and Processing, Technology, Microbiology and Agricultural Engineering.