Food Safety Matters

In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak—for the second time—to Jerry Heath (staff entomologist) and Sharon Dobesh (director of technical services) from the Industrial Fumigant Company (IFC) about integrated pest management and some best practices that food facilities can follow. In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to IFC about: Tips for creating or improving upon a pest management program The importance of communication and partnership between the food plant and the pest management company How hard it is to change a facility's food safety culture How fluctuating environmental conditions can lead to unexpected pest problems The different types of food facilities (dry vs. wet processing) and the various types of pests and insects they tend to attract Surprising pest discoveries The most vulnerable hot spots and risky areas within most food plants The critical importance of keeping trailers and other forms of transportation clean Best practices in pest management, plus actions that food plant employees can take when they spot a rodent The use of pesticides vs. the demand for more natural pest products Resources Pest-Free Shipping and the FDA's Sanitary Transportation Rule Integrated Pest Management-based Prevention Tips  The Integrated Pest Management Pyramid  ​ Presenting Sponsor: IFC

Michael Cramer is currently the senior director of food safety and quality assurance with Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc. He is a Safe Quality Food practitioner, an American Society for Quality-certified quality auditor, and a Preventive Controls-Qualified Individual. A graduate of West Chester University, Mike earned a B.Sc. in health science in 1977. He's been an esteemed member of Food Safety Magazine's Editorial Advisory Board since 2001. Dane Bernard is currently the managing director of Bold Bear Food Safety where he offers consulting services. He is a registered specialist in food, dairy, and sanitation microbiology with the American Academy of Microbiology. Dane has been an instructor and lecturer on principles and applications of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and has helped to formulate HACCP plans for the U.S. food industry. Dane received an M.Sc. in Food Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He's also a recipient of the Food Safety Magazine Distinguished Service Award (2017). Dr. Robert (Bob) Powitz is the principal and technical director of R.W. Powitz & Associates. There, he specializes in forensic sanitation services to industry, law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. Bob has dedicated his career to food safety having worked for over 54 years to study, develop, and implement the most effective sanitation practices. Bob received his undergraduate education in agronomy and plant pathology from the State University of New York and the University of Georgia. He holds a M.Sc. in Public Health with a specialty in institutional environmental health and a Ph.D. in environmental health, with specialties in environmental microbiology and epidemiology from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He also has a very long list of honors including, most impressively, a spot on the Food Safety Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Mike, Dane, and Bob [13:43] about: Sanitation, training, and other areas of instruction that colleges and universities fail to cover, and why reaching out to these institutions is so important Working with regulators who do not fully understand the sanitation process Some of the downfalls of contracting with chemical suppliers who lack technical expertise beyond the sale cycle Why equipment design is so crucial to a sanitation program The do's and don'ts of effective swabbing Balancing marketing and product development ideas with food safety priorities and needs Understanding the "why" behind sanitation Keeping up with food codes and regulations not only state to state, but in other countries, particularly as it relates to allergens Why industry needs to do a better job of representing the positive side of their work so that younger sanitarians see the benefits Trends: sustainability and green cleaning Mike Cramer's Articles Published in Food Safety Magazine: Environmental Listeria Monitoring: Seek and Destroy Pathogens (December 2017/January 2018) Allergen Management: A Personal and Professional Perspective (August/September 2016) A Look at GMPs: How FSMA Will Change Expectations (February/March 2016) For more articles from Mike Cramer? Access our compiled search at FoodSafetyMagazine.com Bob Powitz's Articles Published in Food Safety Magazine: Checking Field Thermometer Accuracy (April 2015 eDigest) Chemical-Free Cleaning: Revisited (October/November 2014) Non-EPA Registered Cleaners and Sanitizers For Use in Food Production Facilities and Retail Food Establishments (September 2013 eDigest) ​Want more articles from Bob Powitz? Access our compiled search at FoodSafetyMagazine.com News Mentioned in This Episode Pork Industry Workers Sue USDA Over New Swine Rule's Faster Line Speeds [3:27] New Report: IFSAC Releases 2017 Foodborne Illness Data [5:50] FDA's FSMA Tracking Dashboard [9:55]   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 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

Lan Lam is the senior editor of Cook's Illustrated Magazine and a cast member on PBS's America's Test Kitchen (ATK). Lan earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Wesleyan University. There, she learned scientific methods that inform her approach to developing recipes and teaching home cooks the principles of cooking and baking.  Before joining ATK, Lan learned to cook by working for James Beard Foundation Award winners and nominees in Cambridge and Boston. The James Beard Foundation Awards are presented annually to recognize U.S. culinary professionals including chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists.    In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Lan [25:50] about: The origins of Cook's Illustrated Magazine and ATK Explaining the 'why' behind each recipe that goes on air Addressing viewer concerns about handwashing, how television editing can be misleading, and how they work around this The process behind choosing what is discussed on ATK Commonly submitted viewer questions Addressing concerns about raw poultry and eggs Proper refrigeration of cooked foods How the show ensures they are disseminating accurate food safety information Bob Ferguson's Food Safety Insights [13:55] Bob joins us to discuss his article featured in our October/November 2019 issue: Want more from Bob Ferguson? Find more of his articles and podcast segments. News Mentioned in This Episode Meat Plant Owner and HACCP Manager Plead Guilty to Falsifying E. coli Test Records [3:10] Beef Execs Plead Guilty to Selling $1 Million of Adulterated Meat to Bureau of Prisons [7:55] Former PCA Quality Control Officer Moves Into Halfway House [10:15] FDA Announces Joint Venture to Study Human Pathogens in Yuma Region Leafy Greens [10:58]   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 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

Sanjay Gummalla is the vice president of regulatory and technical affairs at the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), where he recently led the effort to launch the organization's Food Safety Zone online tool released earlier this year.  Previously, Sanjay was the vice president of product development at Zentis North America. Before that, he spent time at Givaudan where he served as the lead scientist for food and dairy processing and was responsible for conducting research to establish impact, performance, and stability of new ingredients and technologies. He also spent time in dairy flavor development at Cargill. Sanjay earned his Ph.D. in nutrition and food sciences at Utah State University in 2000 and was a post-doctoral researcher at the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Sanjay [17:59] about: Sanjay's career and background The history of AFFI and the organization's recent 75th anniversary AFFI's science-based and risk-based approach to food safety, and their focus on preventing and controlling Listeria monocytogenes in frozen foods The Food Safety Zone, AFFI's Listeria control program, and how it was developed and implemented Sanitation control, environmental monitoring, and other areas, templates, and resources covered or offered within the program AFFI's efforts to advance food safety via scientific research, developing best practices, training, and education for the supply chain, retailers, foodservice workers, and consumers Collaboration in food safety without the worry of competition  AFFI's partnership with Merieux NutriSciences The Alliance for Listeriosis Prevention AFFI's Frozen Food Foundation Consumer confusion about cooking instructions and what 'ready-to-eat' really means, and working with regulatory agencies to get consistent messaging out to the public Balancing convenience, taste, and safety of frozen foods Misconceptions about the nutritional benefits of frozen foods vs. fresh foods Plans to expand the Food Safety Zone and focus on other pathogens besides Listeria Resources Mentioned: AFFI Food Safety Zone online tool Alliance for Listeriosis Prevention AFFI Frozen Food Foundation FrozenAdvantage.org  News Mentioned in This Episode New Food Allergen Labeling Coming to the UK [5:13] Trade Group Pushes to Remove Coconut from FDA's Food Allergen List [6:51] USDA Modernizes Swine Slaughter Inspection for the First Time in 50 Years [10:44]  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

In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to two experts from Phoseon. Theresa Thompson is an application scientist for Phoseon's Life Science Group. Jay Pasquantonio is the strategy director for Phoseon's Life Science Group. Theresa and Jay discuss the use of ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) technology to reduce pathogens in food.   In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Phoseon about: Phoseon's use of UV LED disinfection systems to reduce and control foodborne pathogens from food products and contact surfaces The potential to use UV LED to treat beverages, produce, packaging, and various surfaces The overall benefits of using UV light, particularly in food processing Environments and instances that are ideal (and not ideal) for Phoseon's food safety applications Why traditional or more aggressive methods to eliminate pathogens may not be desirable The risks of purchasing UV LED equipment and systems from commercial market sellers Worker safety when using UV LED lights Upcoming research and product innovation within Phoseon Resources UV LED Disinfection for Food Safety  Effectiveness of UV LEDs for Inactivating Biomolecules and Microorganisms Rapid UV Inactivation Enables Faster Disinfection Processes for Manufacturing Presenting Sponsor: ​Phoseon

Oscar Garrison is the senior vice president of food safety regulatory affairs at United Egg Producers. Previously, he was the director of food safety with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. As a past president of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, Oscar led the national organization's efforts to promote an integrated food safety system by working with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and industry. Oscar earned his B.Sc. in Forensic Science and Technology from Jacksonville State University. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Oscar [20:25] about: How his background in forensic science led him to an unexpected career in food safety The most challenging aspects of being a state regulator How state regulatory bodies work with federal and local agencies to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks Why having specialized staff and maintaining those staff members are crucial at the state regulatory level How state regulators can help educate small and independent producers Inspection changes implemented in Georgia after the Peanut Corporation of America case His thoughts on data related to recent research on Salmonella and eggs Common questions and misconceptions about eggs and egg safety Whether or not a single food safety agency is a good idea Creative ways to use digital technology to ensure that state regulators can do their jobs Social media and regulators' responsibility to educate the public on food safety matters Whole-genome sequencing Oscar Garrison's Articles in Food Safety Magazine A Closer Look at Egg Safety  Evolution of a State Food Safety Program Bob Ferguson's Food Safety Insights [15:24] Bob joins us to discuss his article featured in our August/September 2019 issue: The FSMA Intentional Adulteration Rule Is Here: Are Processors Ready? Want more from Bob Ferguson? Find more of his articles and podcast segments. News Mentioned in This Episode Spain's Largest-Ever Listeria Outbreak [5:42] Listeria Outbreak Has No Known Source in U.S.; Likely Source in Canada [8:56] FDA Reminds Industry of Best Practices in Response to Food Tampering in Retail Grocery Stores [10:45]  Sponsor: Sterilex Dry Floor Application Guide  Egg Grading Sanitation Program 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

Dr. Laura Gieraltowski leads the Foodborne Outbreak Response Team in the Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. She leads the team that helps coordinate the national network of epidemiologists and other public health officials who investigate outbreaks of foodborne and other enteric illnesses. ​Laura is a graduate of CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service Program. She received a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and has a Masters of Public Health degree in behavioral health sciences from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She has worked at the CDC since 2009 and has been involved in numerous multistate outbreak investigations leading to the identification and recall of food products. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Laura [14:39] about: CDC's role in foodborne outbreak investigations How CDC works with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis vs. whole-genome sequencing, and why the former is no longer the standard method for DNA fingerprinting when investigating a foodborne outbreak How outbreak investigations become more or less complicated depending on what type of food product is involved Changes and advancements coming to food safety within the next 5–10 years News Mentioned in This Episode FDA Issues First Foreign Supplier Verification Program Warning [1:35] FDA Tests Romaine Lettuce in Yuma Growing Region for Pathogens [3:56] USDA to Consumers: Do Not Wash Raw Poultry [7:55] 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

Theodora Morille-Hinds is the vice president of global quality food safety for The Kellogg Company. She is also the 2019 recipient of Food Safety Magazine's Distinguished Service Award. Stacey Popham is the head of food safety and quality for the Americas region of Barry Callebaut. Dr. Mindy Brashears is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. Tim Stubbs is the vice president of product research and food safety for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Theo [13:18] about: The greatest day-to-day challenges in her current role at Kellogg Partnerships with Michigan State University, University of Georgia, and more Celebrating women and girls in science How she unexpectedly got into food science Advice to young women who may be thinking about a science-related career We speak to Stacey [27:59] about: The first-ever World Food Safety Day and how it prompted Barry Callebaut to initiate monthly Food Safety Friday meetings within the organizations. We speak to Tim [38:48] about: Dairy-related research discussed during IAFP sessions We speak to Mindy [44:55] about: Upcoming modernization of poultry and swine systems The science-based data and programs that have prompted new initiatives Consumer education resources safe food handling Goals for new Campylobacter performance standards New testing for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli​ besides O157:H7 Partnering with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on cell-based meat regulations News Mentioned in This Episode Employee Discovery Prompts Cookie Dough Recall Sponsor  MSU's Online Food Safety Program - Educating Food Safety Leaders MSU's Online Food Safety Program - Curriculum, admissions, fees, and more 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

Cindy Jiang is senior director, Global Food and Packaging Safety, Global Supply Chain & Sustainability, for McDonald’s Corporation. Her responsibilities include leading global supplier quality management systems and programs, establishing science-based food safety standards and policies, managing food-related emerging issues, and providing guidance on nutrition information, accuracy, and consistency. She has been the lead for the McDonald’s Food Safety Advisory Council since 2002, a forum for sharing food safety knowledge and best practices among leading suppliers and external experts. Cindy has been actively involved with industry and government collaboration on food safety. She has served on the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Board since 2008 and is currently a member of the Board of Advisors at the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Cindy began her career with the McDonald’s Corporation after receiving a M.Sc. in food science and nutrition from the University of Wisconsin in 1990. She has held various positions at McDonald’s Corporation, from a chemist to a quality assurance consultant, a senior quality assurance manager, and a director of food safety. Cindy has been actively engaged in leading the effort on harmonization of food safety standards by working with the food suppliers and the foodservice industry since early 2007. She is a senior member of the American Society for Quality and has been a member of Institute of Food Technologists since 1989. She is also a current member of the International Association of Food Protection and AOAC International. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Cindy [19:43] about: The importance of meetings, team building activities, and volunteering in an effort to keep food safe The collaborative process McDonald's follows when new equipment needs to be developed McDonalds' approach to new employee training What regulators are looking for when they visit a foodservice establishment Understanding why collaboration is necessary and valuable Why food safety is not an area of competition McDonalds' three-leg stool system How McDonald's communicates with its many suppliers How McDonald's suppliers are required to have at least one GFSI benchmark certification Why there are so many benchmarked schemes, and why having a consolidated benchmarked scheme isn't feasible Government-to-government and government-to-business meetings Food safety culture Why every business within the food sector should be ready for an unannounced visit 24/7 McDonald's and World Food Safety Day The ongoing challenge of meeting consumers' ever-changing expectations Technology, predictive analytics, and using data to predict potential foodborne illnesses and outbreaks How McDonald's has been delivering food in other countries years before it became a trend in the U.S. The importance of mastering soft skills, communication, and networking even in a science-based field News Mentioned in This Episode EFSA Identifies Three Food Safety Priorities for the Next 5–10 Years; Codex Agrees to Tackle E. coli in Certain Foods  [3:57] Researchers Dissect 17 Years of Salmonella Outbreaks [8:51] Viral Story: The Blue Bell Ice Cream Licker [11:12]   Sponsor  MSU's Online Food Safety Program - Educating Food Safety Leaders MSU's Online Food Safety Program - Curriculum, admissions, fees, and more 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

Joan Menke-Schaenzer is the chief quality officer at Van Drunen Farms and FutureCeuticals. There, she is responsible for the safety and quality of the company's vegetable and herb growing and processing plants—both conventional and organic—as well as their nutraceutical ingredient business.  Joan's career has also included food safety and quality roles in manufacturing, foodservice, and retail. She's led McDonalds' global supply chain, safety, and compliance organization. She spearheaded food safety and quality at ConAgra, Walmart, and Kraft as well. Joan served on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Advisory Committee and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's Board of Scientific Counselors Food Safety Modernization Act Implementation Working Group. Joan earned her B.Sc. in food science from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.   In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Joan [17:09] about: Challenges she's experienced across the supply chain at various levels of the food industry The importance of communication and soft skills in food safety How creative thinking can advance food safety success Her involvement in past foodborne outbreaks and how being proactive was the best decision for public health Issuing a recall even before a clear root cause was confirmed Gaining support from employers when it comes to joining industry and trade associations Why it's imperative to have existing relationships with regulators before a crisis occurs The benefits of epidemiological traceback and it can help in the event of an outbreak Proactively managing supply chains with GFSI audits Consumer research and combining that with risk assessment The benefits of partnering with suppliers How she used whole-genome sequencing to pinpoint the source of a growth niche Her views on blockchain and how it may not be the answer at all levels of the food supply chain How becoming responsible for profit and loss changed how she approached food safety decision-making Why it's important to build a support network throughout your career News Mentioned in This Episode Study: Here's Why Consumers Don't Use Thermometers When They Cook [2:36] Updated Tomato Metrics [6:23]  Push for a Single Federal Food Safety Agency [9:54]  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