In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Alex Truelove, Legislation and Policy Manager at the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), about a California law that makes big changes to compliance on compostable products, including food packaging, in the state. The law, which goes into effect in 2026, could have a "ripple effect" on the rest of the country.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Christian Ararat, a seasoned food safety and quality professional with a global perspective, about a range of topics, including auditing, traceability, certifications, exporting to the U.S., and artificial intelligence (AI). We also hear from Joseph Corby, the recipient of Food Safety Magazine’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award, about his illustrious career and advocacy work.
In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Savannah Applegate, Senior Consultant at Elanco Poultry Food Safety, about the role of diagnostics and testing in poultry food safety and disease management.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to industry attorney Alfredo Fernández about what the new Toxic Substances Control Act and emerging state legislation mean for food manufacturers, importers, and businesses regarding compliance with U.S. requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials and packaging.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Phil Kafarakis, President and CEO of IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, about traceability, training, lessons learned from foodborne illness outbreaks, and other topics related to the foodservice sector.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Jason Evans, the Keynote Presenter for the 2025 Food Safety Summit and Dean of the College of Food Innovation and Technology at Johnson & Wales University, about the topic of his upcoming Keynote talk, “Leadership When Nothing is Easy.” Bob Ferguson also discusses his latest two Food Safety Insights columns, which explore how changes at FDA and USDA are impacting processors’ food safety programs.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Natalie Rainer and Dr. Peter Coneski, food regulatory experts at K&L Gates LLP, about the policy and legal issues surrounding food packaging chemicals of concern and targeted food additives, and the implications for industry.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Haley Oliver, Ph.D., Director of the USAID-funded Feed the Future Food Safety Innovation Lab at Purdue University, about her work to improve global food safety through targeted projects in Kenya, Cambodia, Nepal, and beyond.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Paul Shapiro, best-selling author and CEO of The Better Meat Co., about the food safety and sustainability advantages offered by various novel alternative protein products, their current regulatory oversight, and hurdles they must overcome before being scaled up and widely accepted by governments and consumers.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Johanna Velez, Vice President of Quality Assurance for Monin Americas, about how she encourages modernization, solves non-conformances, upholds an “Excellent” food safety rating, and reinforces a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Bob Ferguson also discusses his latest “Food Safety Insights” column on processors' adoption of testing technologies at the international level.
