Ep. 43. Samuel Godefroy: Food Regulations on a Global Scale

Samuel Godefroy is a professor of risk analysis and regulatory policies in the Department of Food Science at the University of Laval in Quebec, Canada. Currently, he leads the development of a Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Excellence Platform, hosted by the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods at the university.

Samuel previously led the strategic development of the World Bank’s Global Food Safety Partnership. He's also held senior food regulatory positions at the executive level with Health Canada for over 10 years.

Samuel served as vice chair of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization Codex Alimentarius Commission from 2011 to 2014. He also serves as a strategic and operational advisor to international food safety capacity building initiatives focused on regulatory enhancement, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and FAO.

Samuel received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Samuel [24:29] about:

• The typical process for developing and implementing new food safety regulations
• The lengthy steps necessary to enact accurate and helpful allergen labels
• Why it can take years for food regulations to be implemented
• Various scientific and technical challenges that can impede the regulatory process
• How buy-in is achieved by Codex with so many regions and countries to consider
• The Global Food Safety Partnership
• Challenges that can arise when helping other countries to develop their food-related regulations
• How the academic sector falls short when it comes to training the next generation of food scientists
• His future plans to help improve risk management practices for food allergic consumers

Bob Ferguson's Food Safety Insights [11:08] Bob joins us to discuss findings from his most recent survey and article in the February/March 2019 issue Recalls and Outbreaks: How WGS Will Change the Rules. Want more from Bob Ferguson? Find more of his articles and podcast segments.

News Mentioned in This Episode FDA Releases Overview of the Latest Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak [01:50]  Investigation Summary: Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Romaine Lettuce Implicated in the Fall 2018 Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7  Consolidated Appropriations Act (Fiscal Year 2019 Federal Government Budget) [08:08] A Look Back at 2018 Food Recalls [09:20]

Keep Up with Food Safety Magazine Follow Us on Twitter @FoodSafetyMag and on Facebook  Subscribe to our magazine and our biweekly eNewsletter

We Want to Hear From You! Please share your comments, questions, and suggestions. Tell us about yourself—we'd love to hear about your food safety challenges and successes. We want to get to you know you! Here are a few ways to be in touch with us.

• Email us at podcast@foodsafetymagazine.com
• Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at podcast@foodsafetymagazine.com