Food Safety Matters

Donna F. Schaffner, M.Sc., is the associate director for food safety, quality assurance, and training at the Rutgers University Food Innovation Center. Donna has more than 20 years of experience as a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) specialist. She teaches FDA certificate programs in Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCHF), Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), general HACCP, Seafood HACCP, Better Process Control School, Food Defense, Intentional Adulteration – Vulnerability Assessments (IA-VA), and teaches microbiology and food safety classes in the U.S. and abroad. Donna holds Train the Trainer certificates for PCHF, FSVP, FSIS, and FDA HACCP, and Seafood HACCP, and Lead Instructor certificates for PCHF, FSVP, IA-VA, Seafood HACCP, and Meat & Poultry HACCP. She also serves as a Qualified Individual for Microbiology and Food Safety for HACCP and Food Safety Teams for numerous commercial food processing companies around the country, as well as a consultant for many others. Do

Dr. Noel Anderson is managing partner of Mosaic Food Advisors LLC which helps start-up companies in the food and beverage arena succeed in the marketplace. Previously, Noel spent 19 years in Research & Development at PepsiCo and 18 years at General Foods/Kraft. After receiving his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Food Science and Nutrition Noel stayed actively engaged with the Food Science Department. Noel served on its Industrial Advisory Board for more than 20 years, with 16 years as its Chairperson. During this time the department raised over $12 million and its Graduate Program achieved the #1 ranking in the US. He received the UMass Amherst Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2011. Noel is also very active in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He currently serves as the 2020-2021 president of the 13,000 member association and was elected as an IFT Fellow in 2010. Previously Noel served as a trustee and then chair of the Board of Trustees for Fe

Dr. John W. Spink is an assistant professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management at the Eli Broad Business College at Michigan State University (MSU). Previously, he was an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice in the College of Social Science at MSU and in the College of Veterinary Medicine. His leadership positions include product fraud-related activities with ISO 22000, GFSI, and the U.S. Pharmacopeia. Global activities include engagements with the European Commission, INTERPOL, Codex Alimentarius, and WHO/FAO, and he served as an advisor on food fraud to the Chinese National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment. He also spent 11 years at the Chevron Corporation, and was an independent consultant, before earning a Ph.D. in packaging/anti-counterfeit strategies at MSU in 2009. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to John [15:28] about: Ten years later: Defining food fraud Past food fraud events What falls under the umbrella of food fraud? The role of the Global Food S

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Vidya Ananth about the increasing emphasis on digitalization of food safety processes and recording-keeping and what the implications are for the food industry. Vidya Ananth is VP of Food Safety at Novolyze, where she leads Food Safety and Quality and its digitalization, Application Support, and Customer Success. As you are about to hear, she is extremely knowledgeable and has some great advice and thoughts to help you move forward with digitalizing your processes. Vidya has been in the food industry for over 25 years working with General Mills, The National Food Lab, Safeway, Clorox, and Kohana Coffee - making significant contributions in the areas of food safety, quality, and regulatory affairs with her main goal to bend the curve of foodborne illness globally. Vidya has helped small and large companies build effective Food Safety and Quality systems using risk-based prevention strategies and has helped build the food safety culture within these organiz

Wendy White is the Industry Manager for Food and Beverage for Georgia Tech’s Georgia Manufacturing Extension Program (GaMEP). She serves as GaMEP’s food safety expert to Georgia food businesses by providing educational outreach and aiding the improvement of food safety and quality systems.  Before joining academia in 2019, Wendy spent the first 17 years of her career in food manufacturing and distribution, most recently as a Corporate Director of Food Safety & Quality for Golden State Foods. Wendy received her BS in Biology at the University of Georgia and stayed to complete her MS in Food Science under the tutelage of Dr. Larry Beuchat. She has been a member of the IAFP since 2001 and has been deeply involved with many Professional Development Groups over the years.  In 2011, she was honored to receive the IAFP President’s Recognition Award from Dr. Lee-Ann Jakus. Wendy has presented at many industry conferences over the years and has published articles in the Journal of Food Protection and Food Safety

Ryk Lues, Ph.D., holds the positions of Professor of Food Safety and Director of the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB) at the Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa. His main field of specialization involves social-behavioral aspects that impact food safety and organizational food safety culture. He serves on several national regulatory and legal advisory teams, acts as an expert witness, and has held the office of vice president of the South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST). He is a National Research Foundation of South Africa-rated scientist. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Ryk Lues [17:38] about: Evolution of food safety in Africa The 2017–2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa Realizing that food safety has a face and a name Consumer awareness of food safety The role of science in food safety A closer look at food regulations in Africa Making food safety culture more tangible The importance of risk mit

In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Leonard Mongiello (business development and sales manager) from the Industrial Fumigant Company (IFC) about best practices for keeping birds out of your facilities. In this BONUS episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to IFC about: Why birds at a food processing facility considered a problem Solutions available to control or exclude birds from your facility The cost of effective bird control methods and projects What can be done about bird droppings on the ground and surfaces Sponsored by: IFC    

Dr. Frank Busta is the director emeritus of the Food Protection & Defense Institute (formerly the National Center for Food Protection and Defense NCFPD) and professor emeritus of food microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He was named as the first director of the Food Protection & Defense Institute in 2004. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Minnesota, North Carolina State University, and the University of Florida. He served as chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition from 1984 to 1987 at the University of Florida and head of the Department of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Minnesota, from 1987 to 1997. Dr. Busta’s research areas are in food safety, growth, and survival of microorganisms after environmental stress in food, microbial ecology, and food defense. He has published more than 125 refereed research papers. He has served as Chief Technology Advisor on a UNDP project in China on agri-processing within the WTO framework. He retired i

Dr. Michele Sayles has over 21 years of experience in Food Safety, Quality, and Food Microbiology. As I mentioned, Michele’s current role is Executive Director of Food Safety and Quality for Diamond Pet Foods.  Prior to joining Diamond, Michele was responsible for the Global Food Safety and Microbiology Program at Hill’s Pet Nutrition.  She has also held key Food Safety and Quality positions across various industries.  She was the Sr. Corporate Quality Assurance & Food Safety Manager for the Sara Lee Corporation; the Director of HACCP and Food Safety for Seaboard Foods; and Director of Pork Safety for the National Pork Board. Michele holds a Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.  Vik Dutta has been a Senior Staff Scientist at bioMérieux for over 4 years. Prior to that, he was employed as a Senior Microbiologist at CDC. He has earned hi

Dr. Ruth Petran is a passionate yet practical food safety scientist, and Principal of Ruth Petran Consulting, LLC. Prior to starting her own business, Ruth held technical food safety and public health leadership roles at Ecolab, Pillsbury, and General Mills.  She is skilled at tactical application of technical food safety risk management strategies, spanning the global farm to fork supply chain, and has focused on managing safety and quality concerns of microbiologically sensitive foods and systems. She has led food safety assessments at food manufacturing facilities worldwide, focusing on applied HACCP systems and regulatory compliance. Dr. Petran is President-Elect of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and served two terms on the US National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria for Foods. She is a Certified Food Scientist and chaired the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force.  Her Bachelor’s degree is in Consumer Food Science from Cornell University and she holds an

Omar Oyarzabal, Ph.D., D.V.M., is an Extension associate professor and food safety specialist at the University of Vermont. He is a lead instructor for HACCP FSMA - Preventive Controls for Human Food, and Sprout Safety Alliance training. He is also a Certified HACCP Auditor and has taught food safety, bioinformatics, biostatistics, microbial risk assessment and management, and introductory HACCP classes for more than 15 years. Omar's research expertise is the identification, typing, and control of foodborne pathogens, with emphasis on Campylobacter. Omar has worked for the National Food Processors Association, Neogen Corporation, Auburn University (associate professor, Department of Poultry Science), Alabama State University (associate professor, Ph.D. Program in Microbiology), and IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group. He received his Ph.D. in microbiology and food safety from Auburn University and his D.V.M. from the National University of Rio in Argentina. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak t

Chirag Bhatt has been involved in food safety for 4 decades. After working with the local regulatory agency in the city of Houston for over 26 years. Chirag joined Bloomin’ Brands as their Global Regulatory Compliance Manager. Then Sysco Corp as Regulatory and Technical Services Director. And most recently with retailer Buc-ee’s, as a Director of Food Safety and QA before starting his own food safety consulting company. He has served as Chair for the National Restaurant Associations Quality Assurance executive study group. And currently serves as an Education Advisory Board member with Food Safety Summit and is an advisory council member with Sani Professional. Chirag holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Chirag [14:40] about: The interconnectedness of the food supply chain Inspection challenges at a local level Food Code compliance Effects of COVID on the distribution chain Supply chain vulnerabilities Meal and food delivery The effects of

Donna F. Schaffner, M.Sc., is the associate director for food safety, quality assurance, and training at the Rutgers University Food Innovation Center. Donna has more than 20 years of experience as a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) specialist. She teaches FDA certificate programs in Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCHF), Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), general HACCP, Seafood HACCP, Better Process Control School, Food Defense, Intentional Adulteration – Vulnerability Assessments (IA-VA), and teaches microbiology and food safety classes in the U.S. and abroad. Donna holds Train the Trainer certificates for PCHF, FSVP, FSIS, and FDA HACCP, and Seafood HACCP, and Lead Instructor certificates for PCHF, FSVP, IA-VA, Seafood HACCP, and Meat & Poultry HACCP. She also serves as a Qualified Individual for Microbiology and Food Safety for HACCP and Food Safety Teams for numerous commercial food processing companies around the country, as well as a consultant for many others. Do

Dr. David Acheson is the President and CEO of the Acheson Group; David has had a long and distinguished career in the food industry, probably best known for his work with the FDA where he held several positions including Associate Commissioner for Foods, which gave him an agency-wide leadership role for all food and feed issues, including health promotion and nutrition. After his time with the FDA, Dr. Acheson was a partner at Leavitt Partners and managed Leavitt Partners Global Food Safety Solutions.  In 2013 he founded The Acheson Group, a consulting firm which provides strategic advice as well as recall and crisis management support to food companies and ancillary technology companies on a global basis on all matters relating to food safety and food defense. Dr. Acheson works with many food and beverage companies globally to assist them in managing the complexity of modern food safety. This includes both well-established global companies as well as technology providers, startup businesses, and private equi

Phil Kafarakis is president of the Specialty Food Association, where he is an advocate and spokesman for the $140 billion U.S. specialty food industry. Prior to his appointment in 2016, he served as the Chief Innovation & Member Advancement Officer at the National Restaurant Association. He has held positions at Kraft, McCormick & Co., Cargill, and Jones Dairy Farm. He received an MBA from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Phil [14:59] about: Effects of politics on the food supply chain: Trade and tariffs and regulatory environment Leadership changes in our federal food agencies Important topics to watch for in 2021: FSMA compliance, genetically modified foods, climate issues, and country of origin labeling Changes in import and export regulations The future of foodservice Effects of the pandemic on the food industry: Stimulus payments, lockdowns, and transportation Third-party delivery: Lack of regulation

Will Daniels is president of the produce division at IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group. In this role, Will is responsible for lab and consulting services for the produce industry. Prior to joining IEH, Will was president and CEO of Fresh Integrity Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in operations and food safety consulting for the fresh produce and perishables industries.  Prior to his involvement with start-up companies, Will was with Earthbound Farm from 1999 until 2014. Having leadership roles in both quality assurance and operations, he helped the company grow from a small, regional salad producer to the nation’s largest grower, packer, and shipper of organic produce. As Earthbound Farm’s Chief Food Integrity Officer, Daniels was responsible for food safety, food quality, and the company’s organic integrity program. Before joining Earthbound Farm, Will worked for 15 years as a consultant in the foodservice sector; working in the back of the house designing menus, introducing food safety and, i

Joseph Corby is Senior Advisor of Food Safety Regulations for the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Joe Corby worked for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for 37 years before retiring in 2008 as the director of the Division of Food Safety and Inspection. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI). He is also an instructor for IFPTI, Louisiana State University, the National Environmental Health Association, and the University of Tennessee. He has been an outspoken advocate for the advancement of a nationally integrated food safety system and continues to work with numerous groups and associations in support of this cause. Erik P. Mettler, M.P.H., M.P.A., is Assistant Commissioner for Partnerships and Policy within the Office of Regulatory Affairs, FDA. In this role, Eric Mettler serves as advisor to the associate commissioner for regulatory affairs on the full range of Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)'s ac

As we embark on 2021, the Food Safety Matters team, along with Larry Keener President and CEO of International Product Safety Consultants, sat down to discuss the impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) over the last 10 years and how we move forward from here. Also included are comments from, Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, Stephen Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), Kathy Gombas, Food Safety Consultant at FSMA Implementation Solutions, and Dr. David Acheson, Founder and CEO of The Acheson Group. Questions discussed in this episode: The most significant impact of FSMA on the food industry Impacts of the Preventive Controls (PC) and Produce rules Impact on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators and FDA culture Moved food safety into mainstream conversations Supply chain control The remaining gaps in the food safety regulations Transportation needs Traceability Retail/foodservice Understanding whether a ce

As we wrap up 2020, the Food Safety Matters team, along with Bob Ferguson of Strategic Consulting Inc., sat down to discuss the biggest moments in food safety this year, and what we have to look forward to as we move into 2021. Topics discussed in this episode: Food business disruptions: Changes to the supply chain and transportation challenges Keeping food personnel safe Implications for food safety Emergency preparedness Sanitation New Era of Smarter Food Safety The future of remote audits: Implications and innovations Recalls and outbreaks: What the numbers may mean Presenting Sponsor Michigan State University Michigan State University Online Food Safety Program  Online MS in Food Safety Program Curriculum: Online MS in Food Safety 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

Sally Powell Price joined MilliporeSigma earlier this year as a Regulatory Expert for Food Safety. Previously, Sally served as the Director of Lab Operations at a biotech startup in Boston supporting regulatory & R&D operations. Prior to that role, she was the Food Lab Supervisor at the New York City Department of Health, Public  Health Laboratory. Sally is a member of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, American Public Health Association, Association of Public Health Laboratories, and AOAC. She has a B.Sc. degree in biology from Hamilton College, and a M.Sc. in microbiology & immunology from James Cook University in Australia, and continuing coursework in public health and foodborne disease at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Justyce Jedlicka currently serves in the newly created role of the Food and Beverage Regulatory Liaison in North America for MilliporeSigma. She is responsible for engaging with influencers in the food and beverage industry to align initiatives to be in the h