Food Safety Matters
Food
About
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.
Episodes
- Live from the 2026 Food Safety Summit—Part 1
To get a taste of the discussions that were happening at the 2026 Food Safety Summit, we spoke face-to-face with Jeremy Zenlea, M.B.A., Vice President and Head of Health and Safety for EG America and Laurie Farmer, Director of the U.S. Foo…
- Ep. 217. Larry Keener: Learnings From an Award-Winning Career in Food Safety
Larry Keener, CFS, PA is President and CEO of International Product Safety Consultants Inc. and an internationally regarded microbiologist and process authority in the food industry. His areas of expertise range from applied food microbiol…
- Apeel Sciences: Helping Growers and Suppliers Build the Future of Food
Jenny Du, Ph.D. is Co-Founder of Apeel Sciences, a post-harvest intelligence and solutions company helping suppliers and retailers deliver fresh, healthier, and simply better produce at scale—using plant-based materials science to close th…
- Ep. 216. Sandro Tarchini: Driving Global Food Traceability, Authenticity with Blockchain
Sandro Tarchini serves as Global Head of Business Development at Cardano Foundation. He has more than a decade of experience in digital financial services, fintech innovation, and strategic partnerships across blockchain and traditional fi…
- Ep. 215. Stalker and Terada: Aligning Culture, Risk, and Operations at the Food Safety Summit
Suzette Stalker is Director of FSQA Program Compliance at FreshRealm Inc. Formerly, she served as Director of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory compliance at Target Corporation. At Target, Suzette was responsible for food safety standar…
- Ep. 214. Chris McGarvey: UK/EU Food Regulatory Changes on the Horizon
Chris McGarvey is the Director of the Regulatory and Compliance Team for Walker Morris LLP in the UK. He has more than 25 years of experience working in both the private and public sector, and has a track record of helping clients navigate…
- FlexXray: Emerging Technologies for Improving Foreign Material Detection
Kye Luker serves as the Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, where he leads development of the company's innovative X-ray inspection process and technology. With more than two decades of experience in the service, consumer packaged goods (CP…
- Ep. 213. Richard Stier: Driving Continuous Improvement in Food Safety and Sanitation
Richard (Rick) Stier, M.S. is a consulting food scientist who has helped food processors develop safety, quality, and sanitation programs. He believes in emphasizing the importance of how these programs can help companies increase profits.…
- Ep. 212. Dr. Claire Sand: The Future of Food Packaging and Chemicals of Concern
Claire Sand, Ph.D. is a global packaging leader with 40 years of experience in food science and packaging. As founder of Packaging Technology and Research LLC, her mission is to enable a more sustainable food system by advancing innovation…
- Ep. 211. Kathy Sanzo: The Implications of FDA's Synthetic Food Dye Phase-Out
Kathleen Sanzo, J.D. is Co-Chair of Morgan Lewis' life sciences industry team. She centers her practice on regulatory and compliance issues connected to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated products. She leads and counsels cli…
- Ep. 210. Campbell Mitchell: Executive Leadership in Food Safety on a Global Scale
Campbell Mitchell, M.B.A., is Head of Food Safety and Compliance for Kraft Heinz North America. He has more than 30 years of international experience in food safety, quality management, and risk mitigation. Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, Ca…
- Ep. 209. Helena Bottemiller Evich: The MAHA Effect on American Food Policy
Helena Bottemiller Evich is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Food Fix . She previously led coverage of food and agriculture at POLITICO for nearly a decade, winning numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious George Polk Award…
- Yiannas, McDonald, Besser, Hedberg: Fixing the Outbreak Investigation System
Frank Yiannas, M.P.H. is a renowned food safety leader and executive, food system futurist, author, professor, past president of the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP), and advocate for consumers. Most recently, he served…
- Ep. 208: Reviewing 2025—A Year of Change for Food Safety Policy
In this episode of Food Safety Matters , we discuss the top food safety stories of 2025 and their implications. We cover: The Trump Administration's impact on federal agencies overseeing food safety [7:52]: FDA, CDC Ordered to Temporarily…
- Ep. 207. Brian Sylvester: Preparing for 'MAHA'-Driven Policy Changes on Food Dyes, UPFs, GRAS
Brian P. Sylvester, J.D. is a Partner and Head of Food Regulatory in Morrison Foerster's FDA and Healthcare Regulatory and Compliance Group, and is an influential thought leader and practitioner in food tech regulation. Brian counsels clie…
- Ep. 206. Jay Berglind: In Fearless Pursuit of Safer Eggs and Food Safety Innovation
Jay Berglind is a nationally respected food safety expert and the principal of Aegis Foods, a consultancy focused on strengthening food safety systems across the supply chain. Aegis Foods is also the maker of Fearless Eggs, the only pasteu…
- Ep. 205. Black and Gabor: Digital Transformation and Emerging International Standards for Food Safety
Tom Black is the First Assistant Secretary of the Exports and Veterinary Services Division at the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. In this role, he is responsible for regulating and facilitating A…
- Kris Sollid: What Does Consumer Sentiment Say About the Safety of the U.S. Food Supply?
Kris Sollid, R.D., is the Senior Director for Research and Consumer Insights at the International Food Information Council (IFIC). A registered dietitian with a passion for improving nutrition science communications, his role at IFIC inclu…
- Ep. 204. Spink and Fenoff: How to Prevent Food Fraud in Your Supply Chain
John Spink, Ph.D. is the Director and Lead Instructor for the Food Fraud Prevention Academy, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the College of Business at Michigan State University (MSU)…
- Ep. 203. Dr. David Dyjack: What Does the Future of the Food Safety Workforce Look Like?
David T. Dyjack, Dr.P.H., CIH has served as Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) since May 2015. Dr. Dyjack's 30-year career includes expertise in environmental health, emergency preparedness a…
- Ep. 202. Dr. Kathy Knutson: What Does a Robust Environmental Monitoring Program Look Like?
Kathy Knutson, Ph.D., PCQI, is educated in bacteriology, food science, and education. She speaks, writes, and trains on compliance for the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). She has trained over 50…
- Ep. 201. Mick Dutcher: The Work of FDA OII's Food Products Inspectorate
In this episode of Food Safety Matters , we speak with Dr. Dutcher [38:31] about: The internal structure of the Food Products Inspectorate (FPI) within FDA's OII OII's role and responsibilities for inspecting human foods at FDA, including…
- Ep. 200: A Celebration of Food Safety Matters Podcast History
In this special 200th episode of Food Safety Matters , our hosts look back at the podcast's eight-year history, sharing their stories and experiences, as well as reviewing some of the show's most memorable episodes and guests. Resources Ep…
- Elanco: Implementing a Holistic Approach to Salmonella Control in Poultry
Vic Fox is a Poultry Account Manager at Elanco. Prior to his time at Elanco, Fox worked as a Breeder Hatchery Manager, Live Production Manager, and Complex Manager, granting him a holistic view into live production, with a special focus on…
- Ep. 199. George Misko: The Future of Food Regulation Under MAHA
George G. Misko, Esq. is a Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP in Washington D.C. He counsels domestic and foreign clients on food and drug matters and advises clients on regulatory requirements relating to chemical substances specific to fo…
- Diamantas and Choiniere: FDA Focuses on Produce Safety, MAHA, Culture, and More
Kyle Diamantas, J.D. is the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Human Foods Program (HFP), where he oversees all FDA nutrition and food safety activities. As FDA's top food executive, Mr.…
- Ep. 198. Dr. Jim Fredericks: Controlling Rodent Risks in Food Facilities
Jim Fredericks, Ph.D. is a Board Certified Entomologist and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). He received his B.S. degree in Biology Education from Millersville University of Pennsy…
- Ep. 197. Jatin Patel: Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Handling a Recall
Jatin Patel is the Head of Operations at FGS Ingredients Ltd. He has over two decades of extensive experience in the food industry and has been a cornerstone of FGS Ingredients for the past 11 years. A qualified ACCA Accountant, Jatin comb…
- Ep. 196. Dr. Lane Highbarger: How the FDA Workforce Cuts May Impact Food Safety
Lane Highbarger, Ph.D. worked for 26 years in the food additive regulatory and compliance field with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serving as lead microbiologist in FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS). He is also an…
- FlexXray: How External X-Ray Inspection Helps Close the Gap on Foreign Material
Kye Luker serves as the Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, where he leads the development of the company's innovative X-ray inspection process and technology. With over two decades of experience in the service, CPG, food, and beverage indu…
- Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education
Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D., serves as the President of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and as the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), as w…
- Elanco: Diagnostics and the Role of Testing in Ensuring Food Safety
Savannah Applegate, Ph.D. is a Senior Consultant at Elanco Poultry Food Safety. Dr. Applegate received her B.S. degree in Meat Science from Ohio State University and her M.S. degree and Ph.D. in Applied Food Microbiology from Texas Tech Un…
- Ep. 194. Alex Truelove: Impending Compliance Changes for Compostable Food Packaging
Alex Truelove has served as Legislation and Advocacy Manager at BPI (Biodegradable Plastics Institute) since 2022. He previously directed U.S. PIRG's (Public Interest Research Group's) zero-waste program. He remains passionate about waste…
- Bonus Episode: Live from the 2025 Food Safety Summit—Part 2
To get a taste of the discussions that were happening at the 2025 Food Safety Summit, we spoke face-to-face with Sharon Beals, Founder, SKKB; Peter Taormina, Ph.D., Founder and President, Etna Consulting Group; Sandra Eskin, J.D., CEO, STO…
- Bonus Episode: Live from the 2025 Food Safety Summit—Part 1
To get a taste of the discussions that were happening at the 2025 Food Safety Summit, we spoke face-to-face with keynote speaker Jason Evans, Ph.D., Dean, College of Food Innovation and Technology, Johnson & Wales University; as well as Br…
- Ep. 193. Christian Ararat: A Global Perspective on Auditing, Certifications, AI, and Beyond
Christian Ararat, M.Sc., M.Eng. is a food safety professional with more than ten years of experience in food safety and quality. After earning a bachelor's degree in Food Science from Valley University in Colombia, he began his career in t…
- Ep. 192. Alfredo Fernández: Emerging U.S. Regulations for PFAS in Food Contact Materials
Alfredo Fernández, J.D. is an attorney and Partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP. As a member of the firm's national Environmental Practice, Alfredo advises clients across industry types on environmental, health, and safety issues that arise in…
- Ep. 191. Dr. Edward Dudley: Wastewater Monitoring for Foodborne Pathogen Surveillance
Edward G. Dudley, Ph.D. is the Director of the E. coli Reference Center and a Professor of Food Science at the Pennsylvania State University. He has a broad background in molecular biology, physiology, and foodborne bacteria genomics, with…
- Ep. 190. Phil Kafarakis: Ensuring Food Safety for Food Away From Home
Phil Kafarakis is the President and CEO of IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, formerly known as the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. He is responsible for overseeing IFMA's day-to-day operations and directing the…
- Hygiena: Optimizing Data for Improved Food Safety Risk Management and Compliance
Mark Carter is the Senior Software Product Manager at Hygiena. He assumed the presidency of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) at the conclusion of the IAFP Annual Meeting in July 2024. Mr. Carter has extensive intern…
- Ep. 189. Dr. Jason Evans: Leadership When Nothing is Easy—A Food Safety Summit Keynote Preview
Jason Evans, Ph.D. is the Dean of the College of Food Innovation and Technology (CFIT) at Johnson & Wales University, which offers baccalaureate and graduate programming in Culinary Arts, Culinary Science, Culinary Nutrition, Food and Beve…
- Ep. 188. Dr. Kimberly Baker: Educating Small Manufacturers on Food Safety Compliance and Best Practices
Kimberly Baker, Ph.D. serves as the Food Systems and Safety Program Team Director and an Associate Extension Specialist with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. She received her Ph.D. in Food Technology from Clemson Unive…
- Ep. 187. Rainer and Coneski: Evolving Legislation Around Food Packaging Chemicals and Additives—Implications for Industry
Natalie Rainer, J.D., M.P.H. is a Partner and a Member of K&L Gates LLP's Health Care and FDA practice. She focuses her practice primarily in the food and beverage industry. Natalie practices food and drug law, advising clients on regulato…
- Ep. 186. Lucy Angarita: Outlining an Action Plan for FSMA 204 Compliance
Lucy Angarita is the Director of Food Supply Chain visibility at GS1 US, where she works with retail, grocery, foodservice, and healthcare companies to increase data quality, operational efficiencies, and full supply chain traceability. Wi…
- Ep. 185. Dr. Haley Oliver: Global Food Safety Innovation to 'Feed the Future'
Haley F. Oliver, Ph.D. is the Director of the Feed the Future Food Safety Innovation Lab at Purdue University. She is also the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars and the 150th Anniversary Professor of Food Science…
- Ep. 184. Hottest Topics of 2024: Outbreaks, Food Chemicals, FDA Changes, and More
In this episode of Food Safety Matters , we discuss the top food safety stories of 2024 and their implications. We cover: The Boar's Head Listeria Outbreak [6:24] USDA Announces Immediate Changes to Listeria Rule, Inspections for RTE Food…
- MilliporeSigma: The Importance of E. coli and STEC Testing to Food Safety
Justyce Jedlicka serves as the Food and Beverage Regulatory Liaison in North America for MilliporeSigma, where she is responsible for engaging with influencers in the food and beverage industry to align initiatives with regulatory complian…
- Ep. 183. Thomas Gremillion: Advocating for Strong Federal Food Safety Regulation
Thomas Gremillion, J.D., M.A. is the Director of Food Policy at the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). He oversees research, analysis, advocacy, and media outreach for the group's food policy activities, and monitors food safety activit…
- Ep. 182. Paul Shapiro: Making the Case for Cell-Based Meats and Plant-Based Proteins
Paul Shapiro is the author of the bestselling book, Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World . He is also CEO of The Better Meat Co., a company that uses fermentation to turn microbes into altern…
- Ep. 181. Johanna Velez: Dedicated to a Culture of Consistent Improvement
Johanna Velez is Vice President of Quality Assurance for Monin Americas, having joined the brand in 2002. With more than 27 years in the food industry, Johanna has a wealth of experience in leading, directing, and guiding the company's foo…