Food Safety Matters .foodSafetyLogo { float: right; } @media only screen and (max-width: 400px) { .foodSafetyLogo { float: none; } }

Food Safety Matters is a podcast for food safety professionals, hosted by Food Safety Magazine – the leading media brand in food safety for over 20 years. Each episode features a conversation with a food safety professional sharing their experiences and insights on the important job of safeguarding the world’s food supply. New episodes are posted twice per month.

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]]> https://www.food-safety.com/rss/288 en-us Ep. 215. Stalker and Terada: Aligning Culture, Risk, and Operations at the Food Safety Summit In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to two industry leaders and Food Safety Summit Editorial Advisory Board members about managing food safety programs across large-scale, global operations; upcoming Summit sessions on imported food safety risks and food safety culture; and advice for early-career food safety professionals.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11326 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11326-ep-215-stalker-and-terada-aligning-culture-risk-and-operations-at-the-food-safety-summit Ep. 214. Chris McGarvey: UK/EU Food Regulatory Changes on the Horizon In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to UK food law expert Chris McGarvey about the implications of dynamic UK/EU regulatory trends and how businesses can navigate changing legislation related to trade, food substances, novel foods and technologies, and allergen labeling.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11260 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11260-ep-214-chris-mcgarvey-uk-eu-food-regulatory-changes-on-the-horizon FlexXray: Emerging Technologies for Improving Foreign Material Detection In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, Kye Luker, Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, discusses the significant challenge of foreign material contamination, and how food processors can improve detection and inspection with advanced technologies and third-party partnerships. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11236 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11236-flexxray-emerging-technologies-for-improving-foreign-material-detection Ep. 213. Richard Stier: Driving Continuous Improvement in Food Safety and Sanitation In this episode of Food Safety Matters, Richard Stier, M.S., a consulting food scientist and longtime Food Safety Magazine contributor, recalls lessons from decades in food processing facilities, discussing crisis preparedness, internal audits, facility sanitation and employee hygiene, HACCP, and why strong food safety programs must be continuously improved to remain effective.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11210 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11210-ep-213-richard-stier-driving-continuous-improvement-in-food-safety-and-sanitation Ep. 212. Dr. Claire Sand: The Future of Food Packaging and Chemicals of Concern In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food science and packaging expert Dr. Claire Sand about the regulatory, sustainability, and technical considerations for food companies regarding chemicals of concern in packaging, and what the future of food packaging might look like.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11160 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11160-ep-212-dr-claire-sand-the-future-of-food-packaging-and-chemicals-of-concern Ep. 211. Kathy Sanzo: The Implications of FDA’s Synthetic Food Dye Phase-Out In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food regulatory legal expert Kathleen Sanzo, J.D. about the implications of FDA’s voluntary approach to phasing out synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply and how food companies can prepare.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11114 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11114-ep-211-kathy-sanzo-the-implications-of-fdas-synthetic-food-dye-phase-out Ep. 210. Campbell Mitchell: Executive Leadership in Food Safety on a Global Scale In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Campbell Mitchell, Head of Food Safety and Compliance for Kraft Heinz North America, about working in cross-cultural teams, communicating the importance of food safety beyond lab testing, how consumer demands influence safety-adjacent business decisions, the use of advanced digital tools, and other topics.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11057 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11057-ep-210-campbell-mitchell-executive-leadership-in-food-safety-on-a-global-scale Ep. 209. Helena Bottemiller Evich: The MAHA Effect on American Food Policy In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to acclaimed food policy journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich about the rise of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, the current state of food and nutrition policy under its agenda, and predictions for its future.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11031 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11031-ep-209-helena-bottemiller-evich-the-maha-effect-on-american-food-policy Yiannas, McDonald, Besser, Hedberg: Fixing the Outbreak Investigation System In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to four seasoned professionals with experience in the regulatory, academic, and industry spheres about the increasing rate of U.S. food recalls and how the foodborne illness outbreak investigation system could be improved.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10995 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:23:02 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10995-yiannas-mcdonald-besser-hedberg-fixing-the-outbreak-investigation-system Ep. 208: Reviewing 2025—A Year of Change for Food Safety Policy In this year-end episode of Food Safety Matters, we round up the top stories of 2025, covering U.S. federal food safety policy changes under the Trump Administration, MAHA- and state-led moves against food additives of concern and ultra-processed foods, infant formula safety, science on Listeria and biofilms, ongoing monitoring of avian flu, and AI food safety applications.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10994 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10994-ep-208-reviewing-2025a-year-of-change-for-food-safety-policy Ep. 207. Brian Sylvester: Preparing for ‘MAHA’-Driven Policy Changes on Food Dyes, UPFs, GRAS In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to legal expert Brian P. Sylvester, J.D. about the rapidly evolving U.S. food regulatory landscape under the MAHA movement, and how food companies can prepare for state and federal policy changes regarding food dyes, GRAS ingredients, ultra-processed foods, and other areas.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10938 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10938-ep-207-brian-sylvester-preparing-for-maha-driven-policy-changes-on-food-dyes-upfs-gras Ep. 206. Jay Berglind: In Fearless Pursuit of Safer Eggs and Food Safety Innovation In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Jay Berglind, the CEO of Aegis Foods and the maker of Fearless Eggs, known for its novel pasteurization process. Jay discusses the science behind Fearless Eggs’ method and what sets it apart from traditional pasteurization, and the importance of food safety innovation.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10893 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10893-ep-206-jay-berglind-in-fearless-pursuit-of-safer-eggs-and-food-safety-innovation Ep. 205. Black and Gabor: Digital Transformation and Emerging International Standards for Food Safety In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Mr. Tom Black, representing Codex Alimentarius and the Australian Government, and Dr. Gabor Molnar, representing UNIDO, about international food safety standards and trends in an increasingly digitalized and AI-driven world, as well as the work efforts of their organizations.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10862 Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10862-ep-205-black-and-gabor-digital-transformation-and-emerging-international-standards-for-food-safety Kris Sollid: What Does Consumer Sentiment Say About the Safety of the U.S. Food Supply? In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Kris Sollid, RD of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) about IFIC’s recent consumer surveys measuring Americans' confidence in, and understanding of, the safety of the U.S. food supply, as well as how “MAHA” may be influencing consumer perceptions. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10828 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10828-kris-sollid-what-does-consumer-sentiment-say-about-the-safety-of-the-us-food-supply Ep. 204. Spink and Fenoff: How to Prevent Food Fraud in Your Supply Chain In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. John Spink and Dr. Roy Fenoff about an often misunderstood but urgent topic—food fraud, and specifically how to prevent it in complex supply chains. They also discuss their upcoming food fraud workshop and certificate course to be held the 2026 Food Safety Summit.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10822 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10822-ep-204-spink-and-fenoff-how-to-prevent-food-fraud-in-your-supply-chain Ep. 203. Dr. David Dyjack: What Does the Future of the Food Safety Workforce Look Like? In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. David Dyjack, Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), about the multitude of challenges and opportunities facing today’s food safety workforce, along with NEHA’s projections for the future of this workforce.


]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10779 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:30:17 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10779-ep-203-dr-david-dyjack-what-does-the-future-of-the-food-safety-workforce-look-like Ep. 202. Dr. Kathy Knutson: What Does a Robust Environmental Monitoring Program Look Like? In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Kathy Knutson, consultant and PCQI educator, about how to create and implement a robust and comprehensive environmental monitoring program.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10714 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10714-ep-202-dr-kathy-knutson-what-does-a-robust-environmental-monitoring-program-look-like Ep. 201. Mick Dutcher: The Work of FDA OII's Food Products Inspectorate In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Mick Dutcher, the Deputy Associate Commissioner for Food Products at FDA’s Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), about the work of the Food Products Inspectorate and its activities to ensure food safety.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10671 Tue, 09 Sep 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10671-ep-201-mick-dutcher-the-work-of-fda-oiis-food-products-inspectorate Ep. 200: A Celebration of Food Safety Matters Podcast History In this special 200th episode of Food Safety Matters, our hosts look back at the podcast’s eight-year history, sharing their stories and experiences, as well as reviewing some of the show’s most memorable episodes and guests.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10640 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10640-ep-200-a-celebration-of-food-safety-matters-podcast-history Elanco: Implementing a Holistic Approach to Salmonella Control in Poultry In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Elanco Poultry Account Manager Vic Fox about the components and importance of a holistic integrated Salmonella control program in modern poultry operations, and how Elanco supports poultry producers with a multidisciplinary approach.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10613 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10613-elanco-implementing-a-holistic-approach-to-salmonella-control-in-poultry Ep. 199. George Misko: The Future of Food Regulation Under MAHA In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to George Misko, a legal expert on the regulation of food and food contact materials, about the recent “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Report calling for changes to the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) provision, food additives, and food contact materials oversight—and the potential regulatory implications.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10590 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10590-ep-199-george-misko-the-future-of-food-regulation-under-maha Diamantas and Choiniere: FDA Focuses on Produce Safety, MAHA, Culture, and More In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, recorded live at IAFP's 2025 Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, we speak to two top officials from FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP) about the HFP’s current areas of focus—including produce safety and other goals aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative—as well as the future of the HFP and how food safety culture influences its work.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10572 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10572-diamantas-and-choiniere-fda-focuses-on-produce-safety-maha-culture-and-more Ep. 198. Dr. Jim Fredericks: Controlling Rodent Risks in Food Facilities In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), about the risks posed by rodents in food facilities and the importance of integrated pest control to food safety.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10538 Tue, 22 Jul 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10538-ep-198-dr-jim-fredericks-controlling-rodent-risks-in-food-facilities Ep. 197. Jatin Patel: Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Handling a Recall In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jatin Patel, Director of Operations for FGS Ingredients, about how the company handled a recall of several of its mustard-based products due to peanut contamination, the measures the company has implemented to prevent future risks, and the broader implications for food safety standards.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10483 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10483-ep-197-jatin-patel-lessons-learned-and-best-practices-for-handling-a-recall Ep. 196. Dr. Lane Highbarger: How the FDA Workforce Cuts May Impact Food Safety In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Lane Highbarger, President of Highbarger Consulting LLC and former Regulatory Specialist and lead microbiologist in FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety, about his thoughts on the recent FDA workforce cuts instigated by the Trump Administration, and how these cuts may impact the agency's ability to ensure safe food for consumers.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10438 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10438-ep-196-dr-lane-highbarger-how-the-fda-workforce-cuts-may-impact-food-safety FlexXray: How External X-Ray Inspection Helps Close the Gap on Foreign Material In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Kye Luker, Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, about how external X-ray inspection services can assist companies in responding to a foreign material (FM) contamination event, and the ways in which inspection technology is evolving.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10437 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10437-flexxray-how-external-x-ray-inspection-helps-close-the-gap-on-foreign-material Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Christopher Daubert, President of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, about the value of a food science education, as well as the complex food system challenges that today's students, who make up tomorrow's workforce, can help address.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10340 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10340-ep-195-dr-christopher-daubert-the-value-of-a-food-science-education Ep. 194. Alex Truelove: Impending Compliance Changes for Compostable Food Packaging 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10364 Tue, 27 May 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10364-ep-194-alex-truelove-impending-compliance-changes-for-compostable-food-packaging Bonus Episode: Live from the 2025 Food Safety Summit—Part 2 In the second of this two-part episode of Food Safety Matters, we interviewed professionals from industry, consumer advocacy, and foodservice, live from the show floor of the Food Safety Summit, which took place on May 12–15 in Rosemont, Illinois. We discussed the efficacy of finished product testing, educating and advocating for consumers, food safety culture tools, and more.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10376 Thu, 22 May 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10376-bonus-episode-live-from-the-2025-food-safety-summitpart-2 Bonus Episode: Live from the 2025 Food Safety Summit—Part 1 In the first of this two-part episode of Food Safety Matters, we interviewed professionals from academia, consumer advocacy, and foodservice, live from the show floor of the Food Safety Summit, which took place on May 12–15 in Rosemont, Illinois. We discussed leadership, food additives, leveraging AI for food safety, and more.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10375 Tue, 20 May 2025 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10375-bonus-episode-live-from-the-2025-food-safety-summitpart-1