Jessica Cooper, Ph.D.

Dr. Jessica Cooper is one of Steptoe's distinguished in-house scientists, where she advises clients on a wide range of chemical and scientific topics, with a focus on food contact substances, food packaging, and food additives. With more than 12 years of professional experience, Jessica is a vital asset to clients seeking to navigate the complexities of chemical safety and compliance in the food industry, as she is highly knowledgeable on the chemical data requirements crucial for submissions to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as for establishing generally recognized as safe (GRAS) determinations.

Jessica leverages her proficiency in evaluating and interpreting scientific data to provide clients with clear and actionable advice on conducting migration testing, migration modelling, dietary exposure assessments, and general analytical testing. Her vast knowledge includes nanomaterials, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), and active and intelligent packaging.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Jessica served at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the Lead Chemist & Master Reviewer, where she provided leadership and strategic direction in the Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS). There, she ensured the consistency of regulatory policy regarding food additives and food contact substances. She led OFAS in providing technical input, advice, and recommendations on migration testing protocols and dietary exposure assessments. Additionally, Jessica was the FDA's chemistry subject matter expert on PFAS and nanomaterials used in food packaging.