Dr. Nihan Marun, DVM, PhD Microbiology
Pet Food Recall • Contamination FDA • Probiotic & Microbiome Expert Witness
Expert Witness for Pet Food Recall, Feed Contamination, FDA Disputes & Probiotic Claims
Board-eligible veterinary microbiologist and regulatory scientist with 20+ years of experience in animal health product manufacturing, probiotics commercialization, and FDA-CVM/AAFCO compliance. Expert in pet food recalls, contamination events (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, aflatoxin, heavy metals, etc.), probiotic efficacy & stability disputes, false advertising/label claims, and product liability cases. Available nationally and internationally for plaintiff and defense.
DVM + PhD in Microbiology | Board Eligible | Biotechnology & Animal Health Scientist | Peer Reviewer: Frontiers in Microbiology | Published Author | Probiotics Expert
The Expert Behind the Testimony
I’m Dr. Nihan Altinsoy Marun, a veterinary microbiologist with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a PhD in Microbiology.
For over 20 years, I’ve worked across the full lifecycle of animal health products: from probiotic strain selection and formulation to GMP manufacturing, stability testing, regulatory submissions, labeling compliance, and post-market surveillance. My experience spans companion animals, livestock, poultry, equine, aquaculture, agriculture, and water treatment sectors.
I’ve commercialized over 20 products globally, written regulatory dossiers for FDA-CVM, USDA, AAFCO, EU, and APAC submissions, designed field and lab studies, reviewed clinical data, and consulted for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations across three continents.
That hands-on experience is what I bring to the witness stand. I don’t just review the literature. I’ve done the work.
I accept engagements from both plaintiff and defense counsel. My role is to provide objective, scientifically sound opinions based on the evidence, regardless of which side retains me.
Areas of Expert Testimony
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Pet Food Recall & Animal Feed Contamination Expert Witness
- Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, aflatoxin, Vitamin D toxicity, heavy metals in pet food and feed
- Contamination pathways, manufacturing defects, adulteration, and traceability failures
- Microbiological and toxicological analysis of product-related animal illness and death
2
Microbiologist & Probiotic Expert Witness
- Probiotic efficacy disputes (CFU counts, strain identification errors, viability loss)
- Microbiome and gut health claims: prebiotic, postbiotic, and synbiotics substantiation
- Stability, shelf-life validation, and live-culture misrepresentation
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiogram interpretation, and zoonotic pathogen transmission
3
Pet Food Safety & Manufacturing Expert Witness
- FSMA, HACCP, CGMP, preventive controls for animal food
- Formulation, ingredient sourcing, improper mixing, mycotoxins, and QA/QC failures
- Bottling, packaging, labeling compliance, and shelf-life validation
- Ingredient traceability and supplier quality failures
FDA Warning Letter & Regulatory Compliance Expert Witness
- FDA-CVM enforcement actions, warning letters, AAFCO labeling compliance
- Claims substantiation (“natural,” “organic,” “human-grade,” microbiome support)
- International regulatory disputes (EU, APAC) for imported/exported animal health products
4
5
Product Liability & False Advertising Expert Witness
- Pet food, supplements, feed additives, and probiotic product liability
- Mislabeling, false marketing claims, and nutritional/regulatory disputes
- CBD/hemp pet product regulatory violations and marketing claims
Probiotics, Biotics & Microbiome Science Expert Witness
- Strain selection, CFU verification, formulation development, and commercialization
- Probiotic, prebiotic, postbiotic, and synbiotic product disputes
- The Responsible Biotics Framework™ for science-to-market evaluation
6
SCIENCE
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DVM (274 credit hours) + PhD in Microbiology
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Pathogen expertise: Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, aflatoxin, mycotoxins
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Microbiome science and probiotic biology
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Infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
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Nutrition, toxicology, pharmacology
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Multi-species: companion animals, poultry, livestock, equine, aquaculture
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Zoonotic disease and public health
Unique Expertise
INDUSTRY
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20+ products commercialized globally
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GMP manufacturing, formulation, and stability testing
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Bottling, packaging, shelf-life validation
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Ingredient sourcing and traceability
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Agriculture, aquaculture, and water treatment microbial products
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IP rights, international trademark, product registration
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Commercial deal negotiation and distributorship mediation
REGULATORY
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FDA-CVM, USDA, AAFCO regulatory pathways
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EU and APAC frameworks
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Labeling law and marketing claims
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Regulatory dossier writing and compliance audits
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FSMA compliance for animal food facilities
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CBD/hemp pet product regulatory analysis
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VFD/GFI #213 antimicrobial policy
How I Work With Legal Teams
Every case is different, but the process is consistent.
Here is what to expect when you retain me as your expert.
1
Initial Case Review
You share the case summary and key documents. I review them to determine whether the scientific issues fall within my expertise and whether I can provide a well-supported opinion. If the case is not a match, I’ll tell you directly and, when possible, point you toward a colleague who fits better.
2
Scope & Engagement
We define the scope together:
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written opinion only,
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full litigation support,
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or something in between.
I provide a clear fee structure before we begin.
No surprises.
3
Scientific Report
I review all relevant materials, scientific literature, regulatory records, product documentation, and analyze them.
I prepare a detailed written report with my expert opinions, supported by evidence and explained clearly enough for a non-scientific audience.
4
Deposition & Trial Testimony
I am available for deposition and trial testimony. I prepare thoroughly and communicate complex science in a way that judges and juries can follow.
My goal is to make the science accessible, accurate, and defensible.
Qualifications
Education & Credentials
Professional Experience
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) (2006)
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PhD in Microbiology (2012)
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Two term (4 years) elected Board Member of Turkish Veterinary Association
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Peer Reviewer: Frontiers in Microbiology and OVJ
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Published author of several books and chapters, including The Interoceptive Mind
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Member and Contributor: Over ten association, including AVMA, AMWA, AAIV, TVHD, TVMD
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20+ years in veterinary and microbiome science
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Over 20 animal products commercialized globally
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150+ consulting projects completed
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1000+ scientific ®ulatory documents authored
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20+ companies consulted across 3 continents
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Regulatory experience: FDA-CVM, USDA, AAFCO, EU, APAC
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Species: pet animals, poultry, ruminants, equine and aquaculture
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of cases do you handle? A: I provide expert witness services in cases involving animal microbiome science, probiotic and microbiome product liability, veterinary microbiology disputes, regulatory compliance (FDA-CVM, AAFCO, USDA), labeling and marketing claims, manufacturing defects, antimicrobial resistance, and veterinary malpractice related to microbiome-based treatments.
Q: Do you work with both plaintiff and defense? A: Yes. I am available for both plaintiff and defense engagements. My role is to provide objective, scientifically sound opinions based on the evidence, regardless of which side retains me.
Q: What are your fees? A: I provide a clear fee structure upon initial consultation. Rates depend on the scope of engagement (case review, written report, deposition, trial testimony). I am happy to discuss specifics once I understand the case.
Q: What makes your expertise different from other veterinary expert witnesses? A: Most veterinary expert witnesses are clinical practitioners — surgeons, emergency vets, or equine specialists. My expertise sits at the intersection of three areas that rarely overlap: deep scientific training (DVM + PhD Microbiology), hands-on industry experience (20+ products commercialized, GMP manufacturing, formulation, stability testing), and regulatory knowledge (FDA-CVM, USDA, AAFCO, EU, APAC). When your case involves both the science and the business side of animal health products, that combination matters.
Q: Have you testified before? A: I bring 20+ years of scientific experience to litigation support, including extensive work in regulatory submissions, product evaluation, and technical document preparation that requires the same rigor and defensibility as courtroom testimony. I have provided expert consulting and analysis in product liability, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property matters. Please contact me to discuss my experience relevant to your specific case.
Q: What is your geographic availability? A: I am available nationwide (US) and internationally. I can participate in case reviews, depositions, and testimony both in person and remotely.
Q: How quickly can you review a case? A: Initial case review and conflict check typically take 3–5 business days. For urgent matters, I can often accommodate a faster timeline. Contact me to discuss your deadline.
Q: Do you provide expert services for cases involving CBD or hemp pet products? A: Yes. With FDA increasing enforcement against companies marketing CBD, mushroom-based, and other novel pet supplements as unapproved animal drugs, I provide regulatory and scientific analysis for cases involving these products. This includes warning letter defense, claims substantiation review, and product classification disputes.
Retain an Expert Who Knows the Science Inside Out
If your case involves animal health & diseases, probiotics, microbiome, veterinary microbiology, or regulatory compliance, I’d welcome a conversation about
how I can help.
EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE PARTNERS
Dr. Marun provides expert analysis in matters involving pet food recalls, animal feed contamination, Salmonella outbreaks in manufactured pet food, aflatoxin and mycotoxin contamination in livestock feed, FDA-CVM warning letters, AAFCO labeling violations, probiotic CFU misrepresentation, false advertising of animal health supplements, GMP manufacturing defects, veterinary product liability, antimicrobial resistance disputes, international regulatory compliance, CBD pet product violations, FSMA enforcement, and animal cruelty investigations requiring scientific expertise.
She is available as an expert witness for both plaintiff and defense counsel in state and federal courts nationwide and internationally.