Nov. 9, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Topco Associates LLC announced today that Howard O. Popoola has joined the company as Vice President, Quality Assurance. He will be responsible for setting food safety and quality standards for Topco’s lines of private label food products.

Popoola, 42, most recently served as senior director of exclusive brands supplier food safety and quality assurance at U.S. Foodservice in Rosemont, Ill. where he also acted as director of manufacturing food safety and quality assurance. His experience in quality assurance systems also includes several years as corporate microbiologist at Dreyer’s Grand and Nestle Ice Cream Company. Prior to that, he worked as quality systems supervisor at Kraft Foods.

“Quality and food safety have been, and will continue to be, a top priority for Topco,” said Topco Executive Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer Frank Muschetto. “With Howard in this newly created role, we hope to advance Topco’s well-earned and respected reputation in the grocery industry for the high quality and safety of the products we purchase for Topco’s and our members’ brands.”

Popoola holds advanced degrees in food and industrial microbiology.

About Topco Associates LLC

Topco Associates LLC is a $9.9 billion, privately held company that provides innovative business solutions for its food industry member-owners and customers. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities.