Joan Apgar

Joan Apgar is a Senior Staff Scientist and has been with the Hershey Company for 29 years. Joan has a B.A. degree in biology from Messiah College and completed training as a medical technologist at Harrisburg Hospital. When Joan joined Hershey, she was responsible for setting up and conducting lab tests in the Life Sciences Group to support basic animal and clinical research studies. These studies were designed to document the safety of cocoa, characterize the metabolism of theobromine and caffeine, and explore new potential low-calorie sweeteners. She also spent several years in the Nutrition Group where she helped implement mandatory nutrition labeling by preparing nutrition information for Hershey’s sugar confectionery and chewing gums. Joan now focuses on standards of identity and ingredient regulations which includes monitoring the market for new ingredients and potential health benefits. In her role with the HERSHEY CENTER FOR HEALTH & NUTRITION, Joan maintains the product antioxidant database to support clinical studies and use of the Hershey flavanol antioxidant seal on various products. She supports the development efforts of functional gums and mints as well.