Best Practices

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AI has moved into food safety programs faster than policies, procedures, and comfort levels can adapt. The gap between what organizations say and what people do regarding AI use is one of the most interesting—and potentially risky—signals from this Food Safety Insights survey.

When workforce capability receives limited attention, it raises broader questions about leadership commitment to protecting both employees and consumers. Building a strong food safety culture requires more than policies and audits; it requires sustained investment in the people responsible for providing safe food every day.

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is offering resources to help families, educators, and community leaders prevent foodborne illness during America 250 celebrations through simple, science‑based steps.

Once seen primarily as compliance enforcers, QA teams are now expected to be strategic business partners, shaping food safety culture, driving skills development, and leveraging risk and data analytics to enable continuous improvement.

The knowledge paper, titled, “The Future of Food Safety,” was developed in partnership with a top FAO food safety official and written by a former Codex Chair.

Each food processor, ingredient manufacturer, beverage manufacturer, or food hander should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program that focuses on how to prepare for and deal with an audit.  

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to internationally regarded microbiologist and process authority—and Food Safety Magazine’s 2026 Distinguished Award Recipient—Larry Keener, about the highlights of his career, important food safety developments, and advice for early-career professionals.

Food safety professionals need better PR, not only to give credit where credit is due but also to ensure that a consistent stream of young talent is entering and innovating in the field.

The session “Breaking Silos, Breaking Bias—Real Collaboration in Food Safety,” taking place on May 13 during the upcoming Food Safety Summit, will candidly discuss why cross-sector collaboration often falls short and offer practical solutions for breaking down barriers.

Taking place June 24–25 in Oak Brook, Illinois, the event provides strategic insights and practical solutions tailored to the nut industry.