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 pasteurized in-shell and poached eggs that are safe to eat raw. With more than 25 years of experience in food manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, Jay is a trusted voice on preventing foodborne illness, understanding federal regulations, and responding to product recalls.

Jay has served in leadership roles overseeing food safety and quality programs for major U.S. food manufacturers. His expertise spans U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection standards, Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and third-party audit preparation. Through Aegis Foods, he now advises clients on building proactive, recall-resistant systems that prioritize both consumer health and brand integrity.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jay [38:36] about:

• The history of Jay's career and how his experiences led to the creation of Fearless Eggs
• The science behind the pasteurization method used by Fearless Eggs and how it differs from traditional shell egg pasteurization, as well as Fearless Eggs' latest innovation, the in-shell poached egg
• How Fearless Eggs' pasteurization method inactivates Salmonella and other food safety hazards like avian influenza
• The process of working with FDA to get Fearless Eggs' pasteurization method approved
• The consumer trust built not only by Fearless Eggs' pasteurization, but also its prioritization of food safety
• Jay's perspective on the Trump Administration's resource and staffing cuts to FDA and the effect on consumer confidence in the safety of the U.S. food supply
• How Aegis and Fearless Eggs are helping move the entire industry toward safer egg products and food safety innovation
• Where to find Fearless Eggs products.

News and Resources

News

ByHeart Outbreak Grows: 31 Infants in 15 States Hospitalized for Botulism From Tainted Formula [4:29] ByHeart Formula Now Linked to 23 Infant Botulism Cases in 13 States Infants Nationwide Hospitalized With Botulism After Consuming ByHeart Formula

Regan-Udall Report Supports FDA Infant Formula Safety Efforts [16:16]

Analysis Shows FDA Foreign Facility Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Admin Cuts [23:02]

First-of-its-Kind Study Shows How Listeria Strains Evolve Into Strong Biofilm Formers [31:44]

FAO Report Highlights Needs for Responsible AI Adoption in Food Safety Fields [35:01]

Resources

Webinar: Dry Sanitation and Cleaning Techniques for Facilities and Equipment

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