Best practices in food safety include practices and processes that are followed, recommended, and shared by industry as safe, sustainable, recommended steps to ensure food safety, worker safety, consumer safety, and successful continuity of business operations. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/301-best-practices en-us An industry that feeds babies must be an industry of absolute transparency. We have nothing to hide, and everything to protect. An industry that feeds babies must be an industry of absolute transparency. We have nothing to hide, and everything to protect.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11610 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11610-opinion-why-the-infant-formula-industry-must-embrace-innovation-not-fear-it This article examines the importance of data culture—including data leadership, data literacy, data governance, data strategy, data access, and data communication—for supporting risk-based food safety systems. This article examines the importance of data culture—including data leadership, data literacy, data governance, data strategy, data access, and data communication—for supporting risk-based food safety systems.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11586 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11586-data-culture-as-a-preventive-control BlumeA@bnpmedia.com (Adrienne Blume, M.A.) At a Food Safety NEXT Industry Roundtable on June 25, senior business leaders came together to share, collaborate, and innovate meaningful improvements for supply chain risk management using enterprise AI. Food Safety Magazine is the exclusive media partner for Food Safety NEXT. At a Food Safety NEXT Industry Roundtable on June 25, senior business leaders came together to share, collaborate, and innovate meaningful improvements for supply chain risk management using enterprise AI. Food Safety Magazine is the exclusive media partner for Food Safety NEXT.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11585 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11585-food-safety-next-executive-roundtable-examines-ai-solutions-for-supply-chain-risk-management 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11582 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11582-insights-on-artificial-intelligence-use-in-food-safety 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11546 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11546-building-food-safety-culture-through-real-skills-on-the-floor 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11524 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:01:51 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11524-safe-food-handling-tips-for-americas-250-potluck-from-partnership-for-food-safety-education 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11519 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11519-the-evolving-role-of-the-quality-assurance-professional-in-food-safety 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11498 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:53:38 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11498-ssafe-advocates-for-future-proofing-food-system-through-holistic-risk-based-food-safety-approach rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) 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. 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.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11462 Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11462-are-you-prepared-for-your-next-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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11417 Tue, 12 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11417-ep-217-larry-keener-learnings-from-an-award-winning-career-in-food-safety 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11403 Mon, 11 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11403-flowers-for-the-heroes-in-hairnets-boosting-the-profession-of-food-safety 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11370 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11370-breaking-silos-breaking-bias-advancing-real-collaboration-in-food-safety Taking place June 24–25 in Oak Brook, Illinois, the event provides strategic insights and practical solutions tailored to the nut industry. Taking place June 24–25 in Oak Brook, Illinois, the event provides strategic insights and practical solutions tailored to the nut industry.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11365 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:29:06 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11365-registration-open-for-ptnpa-operations-and-technical-food-safety-forum 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. 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 Most food manufacturers know that documentation matters. Few have stopped to calculate what poor documentation is costing them—in time, in audit exposure, and in the operational intelligence they can't yet use. Most food manufacturers know that documentation matters. Few have stopped to calculate what poor documentation is costing them—in time, in audit exposure, and in the operational intelligence they can't yet use.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11295 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11295-the-invisible-plant-tax-starts-with-your-records rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) Monitoring and recordkeeping are the heart of HACCP. Records demonstrate that the program is being properly managed and that the established critical limits are being met, providing supporting data to show that the processor is producing safe foods. Monitoring and recordkeeping are the heart of HACCP. Records demonstrate that the program is being properly managed and that the established critical limits are being met, providing supporting data to show that the processor is producing safe foods.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11309 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11309-monitoring-and-recordkeeping-the-heart-of-haccp The Poultry Industry Food Safety Council (PIFSCo) will take an all-of-industry approach to identifying research priorities, sharing practical solutions, and promoting continuous food safety improvement. The Poultry Industry Food Safety Council (PIFSCo) will take an all-of-industry approach to identifying research priorities, sharing practical solutions, and promoting continuous food safety improvement.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11268 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11268-poultry-industry-launches-pre-competitive-food-safety-forum The in-person Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshops and Supplier Food Safety Management Workshop help dairy manufacturers enhance their in-plant and supplier food safety programs and strengthen preventive controls, in alignment with regulatory requirements. The in-person Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshops and Supplier Food Safety Management Workshop help dairy manufacturers enhance their in-plant and supplier food safety programs and strengthen preventive controls, in alignment with regulatory requirements.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11248 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:08:52 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11248-innovation-center-for-us-dairy-announces-2026-food-safety-workshops 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. 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 The FAO/WHO Joint Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) has published a report on prevention and intervention measures for foodborne virus–commodity pairs of concern. The FAO/WHO Joint Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) has published a report on prevention and intervention measures for foodborne virus–commodity pairs of concern.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11101 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:40:55 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11101-fao-who-experts-publish-report-on-control-measures-for-foodborne-viruses-of-concern rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) Preventive maintenance, which involves a great deal of documentation and recordkeeping, can be considered as the most complex and detailed of the essential prerequisite programs. Preventive maintenance, which involves a great deal of documentation and recordkeeping, can be considered as the most complex and detailed of the essential prerequisite programs.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11093 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11093-preventive-maintenance-a-complex-prerequisite-program The way people shop, cook, and seek information is evolving rapidly, and with it, the expectations placed on food safety educators, regulators, and industry partners. The way people shop, cook, and seek information is evolving rapidly, and with it, the expectations placed on food safety educators, regulators, and industry partners.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11088 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:51:28 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11088-six-trends-the-food-safety-community-should-know-about-in-2026 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. 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 The Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT’s) Science and Policy Initiatives team has revealed the top five food trends of 2026 that are predicted to impact the food and policy landscape related to innovation, safety, sustainability, and consumer trust. The Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT’s) Science and Policy Initiatives team has revealed the top five food trends of 2026 that are predicted to impact the food and policy landscape related to innovation, safety, sustainability, and consumer trust.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11000 Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11000-food-scientists-outline-top-five-trends-shaping-food-policy-innovation-in-2026 rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) This article discusses how an operation should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program to properly manage the many chemicals that are used in food processing. This article discusses how an operation should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program to properly manage the many chemicals that are used in food processing.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10967 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10967-safe-chemical-handling-and-storage Quality assurance professionals and frontline leaders must ensure that food handlers learn and apply food safety principles on the job. Effective food safety training should be action-oriented, engaging, and designed to build competence. Quality assurance professionals and frontline leaders must ensure that food handlers learn and apply food safety principles on the job. Effective food safety training should be action-oriented, engaging, and designed to build competence.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10850 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10850-practical-training-aids-for-effective-food-safety-training Despite growing enthusiasm about and application of artificial intelligence (AI) for food safety management and regulatory oversight, the report underscores persistent challenges, the need for robust governance, and other factors to consider for responsible adoption. Despite growing enthusiasm about and application of artificial intelligence (AI) for food safety management and regulatory oversight, the report underscores persistent challenges, the need for robust governance, and other factors to consider for responsible adoption.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10845 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:32:03 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10845-fao-report-highlights-needs-for-responsible-ai-adoption-in-food-safety-fields The event focused on the alignment and intersection of food safety culture and best practices to control Listeria monocytogenes and prevent foodborne illness. The event focused on the alignment and intersection of food safety culture and best practices to control Listeria monocytogenes and prevent foodborne illness.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10835 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:12:48 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10835-maple-leaf-foods-hosts-15th-annual-food-safety-symposium A massive wave of consumer class actions targeting food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers is sweeping across industries as the plaintiffs' bar aggressively targets product labeling and advertising under California's consumer protection statutes. Companies should be aware of these practices and develop a plan to lessen the risk of receiving such claims. A massive wave of consumer class actions targeting food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers is sweeping across industries as the plaintiffs' bar aggressively targets product labeling and advertising under California's consumer protection statutes. Companies should be aware of these practices and develop a plan to lessen the risk of receiving such claims.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10809 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10809-trends-and-tips-for-food-businesses-regarding-california-consumer-claims rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) It is essential that food processors establish a properly documented pallet management program to prevent issues caused by improper pallet use, storage, inspection, maintenance, and cleaning. It is essential that food processors establish a properly documented pallet management program to prevent issues caused by improper pallet use, storage, inspection, maintenance, and cleaning.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10759 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10759-managing-an-underappreciated-resource-pallets