209 episodes

Food Safety Matters is a podcast for food safety professionals hosted by the Food Safety Magazine editorial team – the leading media brand in food safety for over 20 years. Each episode will feature a conversation with a food safety professional sharing their experiences and insights into the important job of safeguarding the world’s food supply.

Food Safety Matters Food Safety Magazine

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 46 Ratings

Food Safety Matters is a podcast for food safety professionals hosted by the Food Safety Magazine editorial team – the leading media brand in food safety for over 20 years. Each episode will feature a conversation with a food safety professional sharing their experiences and insights into the important job of safeguarding the world’s food supply.

    Ep. 165. Dr. Jason Richardson: Refreshing FSQA Culture at The Coca-Cola Company

    Ep. 165. Dr. Jason Richardson: Refreshing FSQA Culture at The Coca-Cola Company

    Jason Richardson, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Global Quality and Food Safety of The Coca-Cola Company, a position he has held since January 2021. In this role, Jason leads a team of quality and food safety professionals who are accountable for delivering global strategic and operational leadership for performance and progress of quality and food safety programs across the Coca-Cola system.  
    Jason joined The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta in 2009, holding a variety of quality, food safety, and technical leadership positions within Coca-Cola North America over the course of his career. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Jason spent over seven years as a Microbiologist/Collateral Duty Safety Officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA’s ARS), conducting research on sanitizers, novel technologies, standard and rapid microbiological detection methods, and the ecology of bacterial foodborne pathogens in foods, achieving more than 150 peer-reviewed publications.  
    Jason serves or has served on numerous committees and advisory boards during his career, including SSAFE, Consumer Brands Association, the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety Board of Advisories and its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean's Industry Advisory Council, USDA's Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force, and USDA's Committee on Feasibility of "zero tolerance" for Salmonella on raw poultry. He is currently serving as Treasurer for SSAFE. He is active in professional associations, including IAFP, where he serves on several professional development groups.   
    Jason obtained his B.S.A. and M.S. degrees, as well as his Ph.D., from the University of Georgia, focusing in Agribusiness, Poultry Science, and Food Science and Technology, with emphases in Food Microbiology and Food Safety.
    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jason [23:58] about:
    The evolution of his career, from food safety microbiologist to corporate business leader The development and implementation of Coca-Cola’s Amplify Quality Framework, an initiative led by Jason to revamp the company’s food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) programs to optimize enterprise-wide performance and growth How Jason balances both food safety and quality assurance through his leadership and with the help of his FSQA teams Initiatives Jason is working on to refresh Coca-Cola’s food safety culture, and messaging and methods he uses to reinforce good food safety culture throughout the company How Jason contextualizes FSQA as an asset to business performance and growth Balancing cost optimization with FSQA efforts Words of advice for early-career food safety professionals who will be the FSQA leaders of the future. News and Resources
    FDA Publishes Report About On-Farm Investigations, Sampling of Leafy Greens in Salinas Valley [4:24]
    AMR Trends can be Reversed by Decreasing Antimicrobial Use, EU Agencies Report [9:39]
    Researchers Call for Improved Surveillance of Yersinia, an Underestimated Threat to Food Safety [16:23]
    USDA Develops Egg Pasteurization Technology That Rapidly Kills 99.999 Percent of Salmonella [19:09]
    Register for the 2024 Food Safety Summit!
    Taking place May 6–9, 2024 in Rosemont, Illinois. Register before March 31 for a 10% early bird discount rate, plus use promo code “FSMatters15” for an extra 15% off registration. Yes, that’s a total discount of 25%!
    Sponsored by:
    Michigan State University Online Food Safety Program 
    We Want to Hear from You!
    Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

    • 1 hr
    Ep. 164. Brian Ronholm: Food Safety Current Events From a Consumer Advocate POV

    Ep. 164. Brian Ronholm: Food Safety Current Events From a Consumer Advocate POV

    Brian Ronholm, M.A., is the Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports, where he leads advocacy efforts to advance a safe and healthy food system. He was in public service prior to joining Consumer Reports, having served as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and before that, as a congressional staff person for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. 
    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Brian [28:55] about:
    How his prior experience in regulatory policy informs his current consumer advocacy work The FDA Foods Coalition, of which Consumer Reports is a part, and how the Coalition will work with Jim Jones, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, to bring about change The need for stricter limits, testing, and disclosure of toxic heavy metals in baby foods, and FDA’s handling of this issue through its Closer to Zero Initiative How FDA’s “historic inactivity” regarding food additives may be prompting state-level legislation, such as the California Food Safety Act, and what actions could be taken at the federal level to reign in control over food additives regulation USDA’s proposed regulatory framework to reduce cases of salmonellosis attributable to poultry, and the importance of pathogen testing and enforceable standards Takeaways from the Netflix documentary Poisoned, and the need for constant vigilance and innovation in food safety.  
    News and Resources
    WGS Helps Solve a Decade-Long Listeria Outbreak Linked to Queso Fresco, Cotija Cheese [6:00]
    Recent Outbreaks of Listeriosis Linked to Fresh Soft Queso Fresco Type Cheeses in the U.S.
    NACMCF Reports on Reducing Salmonella in Poultry, Advises FSIS on Proposed Regulatory Framework [12:43]
    In a 2023 Recap, USDA-FSIS Says it Aims to Publish Formal Regulatory Proposal for Salmonella in Poultry by Early 2024 
    Study Highlights Importance of Addressing Biofilm-Forming Pathogens to Control Listeria in Food Processing Facilities [20:03]
    Identification of Biofilm-forming Foodborne Pathogens and Development of Prevention Strategies 
    FDA Publishes Guidance to Support Seafood Industry in Trying to Get Products Removed From DWPE [23:44]
    Nationwide Produce Outbreak: A Moment You Never Forget
    Ep. 15. Will Daniels: "It was a game changer for the industry"
    Get free access to Consumer Reports for 1 month
    Register for the 2024 Food Safety Summit!
    Taking place May 6–9, 2024 in Rosemont, Illinois. Register before March 31 for a 10% early bird discount rate, plus use promo code “FSMatters15” for an extra 15% off registration. Yes, that’s a total discount of 25%!
    Sponsored by: IFC
    Click here to schedule your free assessment.
    We Want to Hear from You!
    Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

    • 54 min
    Ep. 163. Natalie Dyenson: IFPA’s Advocacy for Global, Farm-to-Fork Produce Safety

    Ep. 163. Natalie Dyenson: IFPA’s Advocacy for Global, Farm-to-Fork Produce Safety

    Natalie Dyenson, M.P.H. is the Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). She has nearly three decades of experience in food safety that encompasses the entire produce supply chain, from farm to fork. In her role at IFPA, Natalie and her team actively work to guide industry on food safety issues and connect with regulators and policymakers to advocate for a science-focused and risk-based approach to food safety worldwide.
    Having previously served as Vice President of Food Safety and Quality for Dole Food Company, Natalie is an internationally recognized food safety expert with broad and extensive experience leading international food safety programs for produce. She has leadership experience in food safety, public health, and regulatory compliance, leading global teams with a focus on scientific, risk-based program development, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance.
    Prior to joining Dole, Natalie held food safety leadership roles with both Walmart U.S. and Walmart International divisions. She also worked with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where she held various roles in food safety and public health supporting domestic and international operations. Natalie holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Iowa and an M.P.H. degree in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of South Florida. She serves on the Produce Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (USDA NIFA’s) Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Center for Produce Safety (CPS).
    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Natalie [29:05] about:
    How Natalie’s experience has given her a well-rounded, global perspective that informs her current work at IFPA The work of IFPA’s Food Safety Council to improve food safety worldwide, and how the council represents the Association’s international and multi-sectoral community Why IFPA recently became a member of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and the Association’s goal to reduce redundant audits as part of the GFSI Coalition for Action IFPA’s participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission Committee on Food Hygiene to ensure the produce perspective is part of the discussion as Codex guidance and recommendations are developed IFPA’s current priorities for produce food safety achievable through its three strategic objectives The long-awaited U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Agricultural Water Proposed Rule (Subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule), and IFPA’s recently published, anticipatory guidance for industry The increasing concern about Cyclospora contamination of produce, the unreliability of detection methods under development, and strategies that can be implemented to break the cycle of contamination despite lacking effective detection methods. News and Resources
    New Illinois Bill Aims to Ban Same Four Toxic Food Additives as California Food Safety Act [4:12]
    EFSA: Poor Hygienic Equipment Design Most Crucial Risk Factor for Persistent Pathogens in Food Production [11:16]
    GAO, HHS Urge FDA to Develop Implementation Plan for Food Traceability Final Rule [17:50]
    FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule FAQs, Tools, and Resources
    USDA Releases Annual Pesticide Residue Report, Finds 99 Percent of Samples Below Benchmarks [20:59]
    Study Shows Promise of Phage Treatment in Reducing Salmonella on Raw Chicken Breast [22:36]
    IFPA Industry Guidance on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water
    Stop Foodborne Illness Dave Theno Food Safety Fellowship
    [WEBINAR] February 22, 2024 “Applied Root Cause Analysis: Using Your Results to Effectively Manage Risk”
    [WEBINAR] March 28, 2024 "Controlling Salmonella and Cronobacter in Dry Processing Environments by Managing System Breaches"
     
    Register for the 2024 Food Safety Summit!
    Taking place May 6–

    • 54 min
    Ep. 162. Brian Sylvester: How the California Food Safety Act is Shaping U.S. Food Additives Regulation

    Ep. 162. Brian Sylvester: How the California Food Safety Act is Shaping U.S. Food Additives Regulation

    Brian Sylvester, J.D., is a Partner in Perkins Coie LLP's Washington D.C. office and a former Attorney-Advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Marketing, Regulatory, and Food Safety Programs Division's Office of the General Counsel. At Perkins Coie, Brian focuses his practice on regulatory matters before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the USDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and analogous state regulatory bodies. He is a leading authority on food technology regulation and serves as a trusted advisor to global brands, startups, life science companies, investors, and trade associations.
    Brian is a prolific author and frequent speaker at industry-leading events in the U.S., the EU, Israel, and other parts of the world. He is regularly called upon to offer insights on trending legal issues by preeminent industry and global publications. He holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School and a Bachelor's degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Dartmouth College.
    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Brian [30:41] about:
    How the 2023 California Food Safety Act, which bans several additives common in processed foods, might affect companies’ food formulations nationwide Economic and other logistical challenges for companies adjusting for the California Food Safety Act and the feasibility of achieving compliance by the January 2027 deadline Other food additives and packaging chemicals under increasing scrutiny that companies may want to begin addressing in their products in light of class-action lawsuits Precedents set by the California Food Safety Act for other states to enact similar bans and for consumer beliefs to more heavily influence food law How the California Food Safety Act may be influencing the conversation around food additives legislation at FDA, evidenced by recent statements from the agency about two chemicals banned by the legislation The likelihood of industry lobbying and litigation in response to the California Food Safety Act, and the responses already made by industry and consumer groups criticizing the precedent it sets of circumventing science-based decision-making Brian’s thoughts on the actual contribution of the California Food Safety Act to food safety and public health, and how the ban was shaped by advocacy groups and consumers The likelihood of a patchwork of state regulations following the California Food Safety Act and the need for FDA to step in to prevent conflicting food additives regulation nationwide Possible implications if New York Senate Bill A6424 were to pass, which is pending legislation that is nearly identical to the original draft of the California Food Safety Act. News and Resources
    News
    FDA Publishes First CORE Annual Report Summarizing Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations [4:47]
    The Incident Command System and Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations
    Outbreak Investigations of Cyclospora cayetanensis Infections 2013–2020: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining
    FDA: Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Certain Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Powdered Infant Formula Products [12:48]
    Reckitt: Recall Alert: Select Batches of Nutramigen Powder
    New Insights About Salmonella Interactions With Environmental Biofilms May Lead to Better Food Safety Strategies [17:30]
    High Levels of Toxic Plasticizers Phthalates, Bisphenols Found in Nearly All Foods in U.S. [19:48]
    How Leadership Style Influences Employees' Likelihood to Voice Food Safety Concerns [26:31]
    Interview Resources
    California Food Safety Act Signed Into Law, Officially Banning Four Toxic Additives by 2027
    Following California’s Example, New York State Bill Would Ban Five Most “Pervasive and Harmful” Chemical Food Additives
    FDA Proposes to Stop Allowing Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food, Says Red Dye 3 May Be Next
     
    Register for the 2024 Food Safety Summit!
    Taking place May 6–9, 2024 in Rosemont, Illinois. Register before March 3

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Ep. 161. Sara Mortimore: Managing Food Safety and Supply Chains at Walmart and Beyond

    Ep. 161. Sara Mortimore: Managing Food Safety and Supply Chains at Walmart and Beyond

    Sara Mortimore, M.Sc., FRSPH, MIFST, is the Vice President and Global Subject Matter Expert for Food Safety at Walmart Inc. In her role, Sara is responsible for the global development and oversight of all food safety programs, compliance, and initiatives for the company's 10,500 stores, owned manufacturing facilities, and distribution and fulfilment centers. This includes the supplier and supply chain food safety program.
    Prior to joining Walmart in May 2019, Sara held the position of Vice President of Product Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs with enterprise-wide responsibility at Land O'Lakes Inc. In this capacity, she covered both human and animal foods and supported nonprofit international development work.
    Sara began her career with Glaxo SmithKline as a Research Technologist in research and development. In 1989, she joined Grand Metropolitan Foods, which later became Pillsbury and was subsequently incorporated by General Mills Inc. There, she held various roles leading supply chain food safety, quality, and regulatory teams in international markets.
    Sara is also the co-author of several successful books, book chapters, and papers on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and food safety management. She has served on the board of trustees for the Royal Society of Public Health and is a Steering Committee member of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Sara also serves on the Educational Advisory Board of the Food Safety Summit.
    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Sara [3:53] about:
    The challenges and opportunities she has experienced throughout her career overseeing food safety at the world’s largest retailer, as well as major-brand food companies Lessons learned during Walmart’s testing phase of its Product Design Hazard Analysis (PDHA) program, a food safety program for private-label suppliers that was launched in 2022 and is now being rebranded as the Strive for Excellence program Walmart’s tech-driven efforts to improve food safety assurance and steps the company is taking to enable greater control over its supply chain Walmart’s “one global team” approach to food safety culture, and how Sara and her team works to instill this culture across the company and its supply chain, as well as how the success of these food safety culture efforts are measured Walmart’s membership with the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, and how Sara and the company work to demonstrate to consumers that food safety is a priority for Walmart Challenges Sara has experienced throughout her career when it comes to ensuring that supplier HACCP plans are adequate, especially when suppliers may span the globe and have access to different resources and technologies Sara’s views on the most crucial food safety issues for the retail sector and food industry to address in the near- and long-term. We Want to Hear from You!
    Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

    • 40 min
    Ep. 160. 2023: A Year of Evolving Food Safety Concerns and Regulations

    Ep. 160. 2023: A Year of Evolving Food Safety Concerns and Regulations

    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we review the top food safety stories of 2023 and their implications. Specifically, we discuss:
    Developments in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) restructuring of its Human Foods Program and Office of Regulatory Affairs Ongoing concerns around infant formula safety and supply, including new regulations and guidelines, and how the crisis served as the catalyst for the reorganization of FDA's Human Foods Program New allergen guidances delivered by authorities worldwide and growing global concern over industry compliance with food allergen requirements, as well as U.S. industry’s unexpected response to the FASTER Act, which added sesame as the ninth major allergen Industry’s ongoing efforts to comply with FDA's Final Food Traceability Rule, which goes into effect in January 2026 The battle over food additives legislation in the U.S. at the state level and FDA’s efforts to get ahead of a possible regulatory patchwork The growing concern with per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in drinking water, food, the environment, and human bodies, leading to restrictions being placed on the use of these “forever chemicals” in food packaging and other applications The state of retail foodservice safety in the U.S.—especially in light of FDA releasing a new version of the Food Code—and in other countries The release of the Netflix documentary Poisoned, which put food safety in a unique spotlight, sparking conversations and debate among industry and consumers alike. News and Resources
    Reorganization of FDA’s Human Foods Program [6:05]
    New Stakeholder Coalition Formed to Advocate for Effective FDA Human Foods Program FDA Announces Appointment of Jim Jones as First Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Latest Update on FDA Human Foods Reorganization Reveals Major Changes to ORA Frank Yiannas to Resign as FDA’s Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy and Response Food Safety Priorities—Your Thoughts on FDA's Proposed Reorganization (Food Safety Insights column from Food Safety Magazine) Ongoing Concerns Around Infant Formula [14:21]
    FDA Updates Infant Formula Compliance Program, Puts Emphasis on Cronobacter, Salmonella FDA Updates on Prevention Strategy for Cronobacter Contamination of Infant Formula Cronobacter to be Added to the List of Nationally Notifiable Diseases FDA Releases Review of Response to Infant Formula Supply Crisis, Addresses Improvements After Finding Cronobacter, FDA Issues Warning Letters to Three Infant Formula Manufacturers FDA Asks Infant Formula Industry to Double-Check Food Safety Controls DOJ Criminally Investigates Abbott Nutrition After Fatal Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula Global Focus on Allergens and on Sesame in the U.S. [22:31]
    FDA Updates Guidance to Address Food Manufacturers Circumventing Allergen Cross-Contact Requirements for Sesame FDA Revises Labeling Requirements in Guidance Documents to Include Sesame as Major Allergen Most Major Food Allergen Recalls Caused by Preventable Labeling Errors, Study Finds FAO/WHO Recommend Uniform Precautionary Allergen Labeling as Codex Develops Guidance UK FSA Updates Guidance on Precautionary Allergen Labeling, Clarifies “Vegan” vs. “Free-From” Milk Causes Most Food Allergen Recalls in UK, Study Finds Sweden to Develop a National Strategy for Food Allergies One in Four Swedish Restaurants Provide Incorrect Allergen Information 6 of 10 Dutch Businesses Not Providing Adequate Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods Food Allergy Canada Releases Allergen Management Guidelines, Focus on Labeling Ma and D’lima: How FDA Enforces Allergen Requirements and Recalls to Ensure Food Safety (Food Safety Matters podcast) Beat the Recall: Effective Allergen Control in Food Manufacturing (Food Safety Magazine webinar) Safely Serving All: Allergen Control and Response in Retail Foodservice (Food Safety Magazine webinar) FDA Food Traceability Final Rule Complianc

    • 1 hr 18 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
46 Ratings

46 Ratings

Indiana Cruiser ,

Love current special series

Love the current series you are doing with the food safety authors. It has been a great, fun, informative series.

Wayne/MA ,

Thank you, FSM Team!

What a valuable resource this podcast is. I appreciate the deep library of past episodes. Since my background is in other areas of the food industry, I don’t have a large professional network specific to food safety/food manufacturing. The conversations on this podcast is a great supplement and is awesome for exposing me to new concepts.

August Consumer ,

Wasteful Chit chat among experts

“it’s good to educate the public about food safety.”

After an episode on Salmonella, I wasted time. Go to Wikipedia for an education instead of this podcast. This is the second podcast on food protection by experts that just waste the listener‘s time.

I hope there is one by someone who knows how to put a program together and how to interview experts.

Why should I subscribe to a magazine when the speakers waste my time, and there is much on the internet.

If you want to educate, Talk is not teaching.
And scientists talking about a scientific discipline is not science.

Please replace the presenter with someone skilled in presentation, instead of a self absorbed bore.

I’m not your captive audience.

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