Food Safety Matters

Steve Voelzke is a seasoned executive with over 34 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing leadership roles. His expertise lies in automation and electrical engineering projects, having successfully managed global-scale initiatives throughout his career. As Steve transitioned into the manufacturing sector, he brought his knowledge and vision to Robroy Industries, a prominent manufacturer. He assumed key leadership positions there and became a driving force behind innovation efforts. Steve's commitment to driving growth and innovation is evident through his numerous patents related to evolutionary products. His dedication to community service and philanthropy further highlights his passion for making a positive impact in his community and the industry. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Steve [1:53] about: The meaning of "hygienic design" in the context of food manufacturing facilities, and why it is a critical aspect of modern production Contributing factors to the rise in food recalls Types of recalls that are occurring in the food and beverage space and how hygienic design can help prevent them Industry best practices and sanitary standards that influence the selection of components and equipment in the design of a food manufacturing facility The importance of aligning electrical safety compliance and sanitary standards in food manufacturing How Robroy’s approach to hygienic design can help mitigate long-term contamination risks in food manufacturing facilities Client feedback on how implementing hygienic design philosophy has benefited their operations Ways in which Robroy’s hygienic design audits contribute to improving facility reliability and reducing contamination risks Beyond job audits, services Robroy provides to help ensure a proper approach to electrical infrastructure in food manufacturing facilities. Sponsored by: Robroy We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Jeannie Shaughnessy is CEO of the Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA), where she leads the association in fulfilling its mission and vision while managing daily operations. She works closely with the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Strategic Committees to shape and guide PTNPA in its ongoing and long-term strategies. Jeannie has more than 30 years of management and consulting experience with a focus on business operations and optimization, organizational development, change management, and communications. She is a trained Executive Coach, a certified facilitator, and a graduate of the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Program, while also being a two-time business owner. Additionally, Jeannie has proudly served as a board member for many nonprofit organizations over the past 35 years. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jeannie [38:05] about: What the annual PTNPA Operations and Technical Food Safety Forum offers for the nut industry, and key takeaways from the 2024 event Artificial intelligence (AI) developments that could aid nut processors in ensuring food safety and quality Topics of discussions between the nut industry and FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at PTNPA’s annual Washington D.C. Fly-In in May 2024 How PTNPA’s Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts serves the nut industry, such as providing guidance on allergen management PTNPA's trip to Côte d'Ivoire, during which PTNPA representatives met with the country’s cashew industry to explore how it can meet U.S. food safety standards to enable entry into the U.S. market Ways in which FDA’s restructured Human Foods Program may affect the nut industry, and PTNPA’s participation in the Alliance for a Stronger FDA How PTNPA and its members are recognizing and celebrating National Nut Day on October 22. News and Resources News FSMA 204 [3:15] Report Highlights Industry Concerns With FSMA 204 Compliance, Barriers to Implementation Public-Private, Sector-Neutral Partnership for Food Traceability Aims to Advance Industry Toward FSMA 204 Compliance Leading Food Industry Associations Join Forces to Form FSMA 204 Collaboration Legislative Affairs [12:25] Proposed Legislation Would Give FDA Authority to Share Food Safety Information With States Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak [15:59] Inspection Reports Show Mold, Insects, Meat Residues, and More at Boar’s Head Facility Responsible for Listeria Outbreak Following Outbreak, Boar's Head Forms Food Safety Council of Top Experts, Closes Facility, Discontinues Liverwurst ResourcesFood Safety Matters Ep. 33. Maple Leaf Foods: Food Safety After Tragedy Food Safety Matters Ep. 33 Transcript PDF We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com  

Scott Gustin is a native of Gloucester, Virginia, where he grew up on a small family farm raising registered Angus and Hereford cattle. He received his undergraduate degree and veterinary degrees at Virginia Tech in 1999 and 2002, respectively, before continuing on to receive his Masters in Avian Medicine at the University of Georgia. In 2004 Scott began his veterinary career at Cobb-Vantress in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. While at Cobb his roles included technical service for North America and Asia, internal veterinary service, and the World Director for Quality Assurance focusing on Salmonella eradication programs. Following Cobb, Scott worked for Tyson Foods for 12 years as the Managing Director of Veterinary Services for domestic poultry in Springdale, Arkansas. At presnt, Scott is a Technical Advisor for Elanco Animal Health focusing on bird health and food safety. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Scott [1:49] about: An overview of biosecurity and its importance The most significant challenges primary breeders and commercial producers face when implementing a biosecurity program Biosecurity measures that help prevent and control disease outbreaks Key biosecurity protocols that every farm should implement Best practices for training farm workers and personnel on biosecurity protocols How biosecurity measures have changed as technology has become more advanced The possible future of biosecurity and promising emerging technologies. Sponsored by: Elanco  We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Brendan Niemira, a research microbiologist at the USDA, dives into the fascinating world of cold plasma technology and its pivotal role in food safety. He discusses how this innovative method can effectively sanitize various foods, addressing both its strengths and limitations. Brendan also highlights the eco-friendly aspects of cold plasma compared to traditional sanitation methods, and the challenges of its adoption in the food industry. This technology promises to revolutionize food safety, but the path to widespread use is fraught with hurdles.

As CEO of STOP Foodborne Illness (STOP) since May 2019, Mitzi Baum, M.Sc. is focused on expanding STOP's impact by concentrating on three strategic areas: families and individuals impacted by foodborne disease, company culture and practice, and food safety policy. By instituting a collaborative, consumer-centric operating model, STOP engages stakeholders across the food system to develop and advance solutions to food safety. Prior to her tenure at STOP, which will come to an end in late 2024, Mitzi cultivated a 23-year career at Feeding America, rising to the senior-level position of Managing Director of Food Safety. Mitzi holds a Master of Science degree in Food Safety and a certificate in Food Law from Michigan State University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University and has obtained certificates in Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago, Quality Management from DePaul University, and Food Safety Management from Cornell University. Mitzi is the 2021 Joseph Leiter Lecturer of the Medical Library Association and National Library of Medicine, an adjunct faculty for Michigan State University's Online Food Safety Program, a certified seafood Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) instructor, and a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI). She also serves as the consumer representative on Council I for the Conference for Food Protection and is a member of the National Restaurant Association's Food Safety Advisory Council. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Mitzi [2:57] about: The development and impacts of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, a program of STOP that joins industry with consumers STOP’s advocacy for the modernization of USDA-FSIS's regulatory standards for Salmonella in poultry, for which FSIS recently released a proposed framework, and STOP’s thoughts on the new framework STOP’s work to include Cronobacter sakazakii on the CDC’s List of Nationally Notifiable Diseases, and whether more work is required to prevent Cronobacter infections from powdered infant formula following the 2022 outbreak and supply shortage Efforts to position STOP as a more credible, reliable, and focused organization with greater visibility and improved fundraising outcomes What drew Mitzi to STOP, and her proudest achievements during her tenure as CEO. We Want to Hear from You!Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Sarah L. Brew, J.D. leads Faegre Drinker LLP's nationally recognized food litigation and regulatory practice. She is one of the country's leading food lawyers, representing food industry companies in a variety of complex cases, including many of the highest-profile and most media-scrutinized outbreaks and recalls over the past two decades. She also counsels clients on regulatory compliance, guiding them through U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections, recalls, warning letters, and enforcement actions; and advises on food safety, labeling, and marketing regulations and risk management issues. As a leading voice in food law, Sarah speaks nationally at food law conferences and before industry groups. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Sarah [33:43] about: The June 28, 2024 Supreme Court ruling on Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned the Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. decision of 1984, and the new ruling’s regulatory implications for the food industry How the Loper Bright decision could open up an avenue for industry to challenge important FDA or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decisions, and the difficulties plaintiffs would face in actually challenging such decisions Ways in which the Loper Bright ruling might influence FDA and USDA rulemaking processes to prevent decisions from being challenged and ruled “unreasonable” in the future The potential for inconsistent application of food regulations arising from court rulings made under the new Loper Bright standard In general, the potential impacts that the Loper Bright ruling could have on food industry regulations and food safety. News and Resources Consumer Reports Raises Alarm Over Rocket Fuel Chemical in Kids’ Foods [4:18]FDA: Limited Scientific Evidence Does Not Show Microplastics in Food, Packaging Pose Health Risk [11:14]Experts Recommend Codifying Food Safety Culture After Major STEC Outbreak at Calgary Childcare Facilities [18:55] FDA to Hold Public Meeting on Development of Postmarket Food Chemical Assessment Process [26:16] FDA Human Foods Program (and CFSAN) Career Opportunities [26:49] USDA-FSIS Publishes Final Regulatory Framework for Salmonella in Raw Poultry [27:47]EPA Immediately Suspends Use of Herbicide Dacthal With Emergency Order [28:36] Sponsored by: MSU Online Food Safety We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Joelle Mosso, M.S., is Associate Vice President of Science Programs for Western Growers, where she works alongside growers to develop improved approaches to food safety and sustainability challenges. She is an entrepreneurial scientist with a passion for pathogenic food microbiology, risk assessment, and working toward practical solutions for the food industry. She has a background in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), building microbial testing laboratories, and evaluating and designing microbial diagnostic tools/approaches, as well as firsthand experience with produce and with managing food safety for complex international supply chains. Before Western Growers, Joelle was Senior Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the Organic Trade Association (OTA), served as the Chief Scientific Officer for Eurofins Produce, and held food safety and business leadership roles at Earthbound Farm and Olam Spices and Vegetable Ingredients. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in Microbiology with honors in Molecular Biology and an M.S. degree in Food Science focused on pathogenic food microbiology from the University of California–Davis. Joelle has served on numerous industry technical groups including the Center for Produce Safety Technical Committee, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Food Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), and the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Joelle [27:50] about: The unique path that led Joelle to her food safety career, beginning with her interest in agriculture as a child growing up in the California Central Valley growing region Western Growers’ efforts to help its members comply with food safety regulations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act Agricultural Water Rule Available resources for industry on pathogen and environmental testing, including Western Growers’ "Primer on Preharvest Pathogen Testing of Leafy Green Products" and its recently released guide on soil sampling Why Cyclospora poses a distinct challenge to domestic produce safety, and ongoing efforts by FDA and USDA to address the growing threat The new Canadian P2 Proposal on the primary plastic packaging of consumer goods—for which Western Growers now offers a resource to help industry prepare—and how it affects packaging for fresh produce The complexity of packaging design for fresh-cut produce, which must consider a multitude of factors to ensure a food-safe internal atmosphere and adequate shelf life Farm-to-fork food safety risks that are introduced when changes are made in the name of sustainability, and the importance of taking into account factors like consumer behaviors as transitions are made The collaborative effort and systems approach that will be required to implement hygienic equipment design of farm equipment at scale, and the importance of doing so. News and Resources News USDA-FSIS Publishes Final Regulatory Framework for Salmonella in Raw Poultry [3:48] USDA-FSIS Begins New RTE Sampling Program to Verify Allergen Label Claims [15:45] FDA Releases Data on Prevalence of Three Important Pathogens in Fresh Herbs [18:05] Bill Aims to Create New Federal Food Administration That Would Take FDA's Food Responsibilities [20:16] FAO/WHO Expert Committee Publishes Safety Evaluation of Certain Food Additives [23:13] Interview Links “Primer on Preharvest Pathogen Testing of Leafy Green Products” “Fresh Produce Food Safety Considerations Relative to the Canadian P2 Proposal and the Role of Primary Plastic Packaging for Consumer Safety” We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Nuno Soares, food safety expert, discusses his 3.5-step plan to sell food safety to management. He highlights conflicts in organizations, stages of food safety culture maturity, and strategies for persuading top management. The podcast also covers insights from the IAFP conference, implications of tire-derived compounds in leafy greens, FDA decisions on banned additives, and the importance of upgrading food safety technology.

Beth Panko Briczinski, Ph.D. is the Senior Science Advisor for Milk Safety in the Office of Food Safety at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this capacity, she advises FDA senior leadership on policies and programs involving scientific matters affecting the safety of milk. Prior to working at FDA, Dr. Briczinski was a Vice President with the National Milk Producers Federation, where she worked with state and federal agencies on regulatory issues in the areas of food safety and nutrition. Dr. Briczinski holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Food Science, as well as a Ph.D. in Food Science, all from Pennsylvania State University. Casey McCue is the Conference Chair for the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) and the Director of the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, a position he has held since 2000. Casey has served in many positions since starting as a Dairy Products Specialist in Jefferson and Lewis counties. He grew up deeply involved in his grandparents' dairy farm near Lowville, and after graduating from SUNY Canton with a degree in Milk and Food Quality Control, he began his career in industry on both the producer and processor sides. Casey was also the 2012 recipient of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture's Administration Award for his work on behalf of New York's rapidly growing dairy industry. Megin Nichols, D.V.M. serves as the Deputy Division Director for the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases at the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Prior to this role, she lead the team at CDC responsible for investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella and Escherichia coli resulting from exposure to animals, pet products, and raw milk. Prior to joining CDC, Dr. Nichols worked in her home state at the New Mexico Department of Health for five years. She holds a B.S. degree in Animal Science from New Mexico State University, a D.V.M. from Colorado State University, and an M.P.H. degree in Food Safety and Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota. She is board certified in veterinary preventive medicine, and her areas of interest include zoonotic disease, food safety, and pediatric health. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Briczinski, Mr. McCue, and Dr. Nichols [29:50] about: What the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) requires of milk and dairy producers, how it differs from Grade “A” milk standards, and the public health impact of PMO since its adoption 100 years ago The accomplishments of NCIMS since the first conference was held in 1950, and revisions to the PMO that have come out of recent NCIMS conferences The microbial risks of, and foodborne illnesses caused by, raw milk and dairy products, which have been increasing in popularity among consumers The possibility of combining audits for producers that make both Grade "A" and non-Grade "A" products Ways in which public health agencies and food safety professionals can combat misinformation about “natural” foods like raw milk and dairy being healthier than pasteurized products FDA’s future plans to expand upon the PMO and milk and dairy product safety. News and Resources FDA Publishes Dairy Food Safety Research Agenda for HPAI H5N1Federal Report Gives FDA Nine Recommendations to Improve Infant Formula OversightEU to Develop New Traceability Requirements to Tackle Honey Adulteration, Revises Origin Labeling Rules Second Bill Introduced to Weaken FSMA 204; Safe Food Coalition Voices Opposition The End of Chevron Doctrine Does Not End Food Safety Regulation, But it May Make It More Difficult Upcoming Webinar—How Rapid Development of Technology has Revolutionized Food Safety We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Brandon Carter, D.V.M. is a Food Safety Technical Advisor for Elanco Animal Health. Dr. Carter received his B.S. degree in Animal Science and his D.V.M. from Mississippi State University. He also holds an M.S. degree in Veterinary Epidemiology from West Texas A&M University. His areas of expertise are disease prevention and control for poultry, with specialized expertise in epidemiology and data analysis. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Carter [1:20] about:  The significance of pre-harvest diagnostics in food safety risk management Common types of diagnostics used in the assessment of pre-harvest food safety risks The role of data analysis in the interpretation of diagnostic results for food safety decision-making Regulatory frameworks that influence the use of diagnostics in food safety management How diagnostic findings are integrated into food safety intervention strategies Limitations of diagnostics for food safety decision-making Challenges in implementing diagnostic techniques for food safety interventions. ResourcesElanco Poultry Food Safety Sponsored by:Elanco We Want to Hear from You!Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com