Case Studies

FAO: Human Oversight Remains Critical in Using AI for Food Safety Foresight

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

FAO recently published a report and conducted a webinar on the use of advanced technologies like AI to transform traditional approaches to food safety foresight, providing both public and private perspectives, and emphasizing the importance of expert human oversight and cross-sector collaboration.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in Food Safety: A Critical Challenge for a Secure Food System

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses the development of a USDA-NIFA funded project aimed at solving the problem of the dire workforce shortage of food safety inspectors, auditors, and managers through a paradigm shift in food safety education in higher education.

Change Management: A Practical Approach in Manufacturing

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Successful change management programs provide transparency into the manufacturing process and allow for guidance and collaboration to help improve changes.

Applying Industry 4.0 to Food Safety

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Industry 4.0 relies on a group of disruptive technologies to drive insights and speed in decision-making. This article demonstrates the potential benefits that can be created and captured across a food business through thoughtful and deliberate application of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Developing Food Safety Leadership Skills: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This article, authored by speakers summarizing their workshop at the 2023 Food Safety Summit, explores components for food safety professional development and business management to help empower food safety leaders throughout their careers and in their day-to-day work.

Root Cause Analysis: Putting It to Work for You

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

At the 2023 Food Safety Summit, a dynamic workshop brought together leading experts to introduce the concepts, methods, and different tools of root cause analysis (RCA). Participants learned how to dig into systems and find meaningful data to identify the root causes of issues develop impactful solutions that prevent problems from recurring. An RCA session at the 2024 Summit will further explore these concepts. This article discusses applied RCA and the Food Safety Summit associated education offered on this topic.

Global Case Study on FSMS Implementation in Small- to Medium- Sized Companies in Developing Regions

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:39:26 -0400

A recent review of case studies on food safety management systems (FSMS) in small- to medium-sized food businesses in developing regions around the world has painted a picture of global FSMS developments and identified the constraints and advantages associated with their implementation.

A Melting Pot of Cultures—and Microbial Risks

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

The U.S. and Canada are melting pots of cultures, and one of the most evident expressions of this diversity can be found in the variety of ethnic foods available in markets. While the influx of these foods has brought new and exciting flavors to North American palates, it has also brought the risk of new microbial hazards.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Italian-Style Meats

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Since early 2022, CDC and FDA have investigated an ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to Italian-style meats. The outbreak has affected at least 36 people across 17 states.

Using Frontline Feedback to Nudge Food Safety Culture Improvements

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

To improve the food safety culture of an organization, it is critical that a key focus be the frontline employees. A proven tool to improve frontline employee engagement in effective food safety behaviors is the concept of "nudging"—a regular cadence of small, easily controlled, and easily taken actions to make a change process more effective, manageable, and sustainable. This article will showcase real-life examples of nudging and share successful examples.

Recent Outbreaks of Listeriosis Linked to Fresh, Soft Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses in the U.S.

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This article presents the key findings of outbreak investigations from 2014–2021 that have been linked to the consumption of fresh, soft queso fresco-type cheeses in the U.S. The authors outline some of the specific circumstances that small manufacturers of all cheeses may encounter in an effort to provide lessons learned and highlight available resources.

Looking Back: E.coli O157:H7 and the Legacy of Dr. David Theno

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This article looks back at the events of the 1993 E. coli outbreak associated with hamburgers served at Jack in the Box restaurants along the U.S. West Coast, examining the regulatory changes inspired by the fatal outbreak and its impact. Also discussed are the corporate and industry changes, spearheaded by Dr. David Theno, that set new standards for leadership and management in foodservice and food safety.

How to Adapt Food Safety Culture Efforts to Functional Ways of Working

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Food safety guiding principles are the same for all companies, but how they are used is dependent not only on the uniqueness of the company but also upon the biases and culture inherent to the company. The latter are often underestimated in their importance and impact. To address these topics, Food Safety Magazine recently hosted a webinar that featured a group of experienced senior leaders and a food safety culture expert as the panelists and moderator, which this article summarizes.

Researchers Develop New Quantitative Risk Assessment Model for Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Researchers have developed a new quantitative risk assessment model for foodborne illness outbreak investigations that takes into account epidemic curves, and demonstrated its efficacy with a case study on a 2019 Salmonella outbreak linked to precut melons.

Economic Impacts of Food Safety Incidents on Supply Chains: 2018 Romaine Lettuce E. Coli Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

A study has demonstrated the economic impacts of foodborne illness outbreaks on supply chains by observing the damages caused by the 2018 Escherichia coli outbreak that was linked to romaine lettuce grown in California.

Conquering Food Safety Challenges for Plant-Based Ingredients

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

The growth in plant-based foods requires a closer look at the safety of their ingredients and raw materials as well as the adoption of an integrated approach to food safety in this young product category.

Another Food Safety Story: A Process Override

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Food safety stories are essential to communicate lessons learned and share the practical experiences of food safety professionals to enhance the effectiveness of food safety training.

Making Poultry Safe for Consumers and the Planet

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 01:15:00 -0500

Producing products that are safe for consumers has long been a basic requirement for food companies.

Regulatory Report: Outbreak Investigations of Foodborne Illnesses Linked to Atypical Food-Pathogen Pairs

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0500

After a foodborne outbreak is identified, specific food vehicles may become the focus of an investigation based on the pathogen implicated and past outbreaks linked to the pathogen.

Clover Sonoma: Doing Dairy Right

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:01:00 -0400

We take a look at a third-generation dairy’s commitment to food safety and animal welfare.

An Example of Seafood Safety Capacity Building in Developing Countries

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Here we take a closer look at how to build food safety capacity in a developing country, using Egypt as a prime example.

Ensuring Food Safety at Large-Scale Events

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Managing large-scale events requires trusted relationships, collaboration, and information sharing to safeguard public health.

Fonterra’s Food Safety Transformation

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

The importance of creating a strong and sustainable culture around food safety and quality at Fonterra was highlighted in August 2013 during a precautionary recall of a whey protein concentrate product.

Effects of Millennials on Culinary Food Safety

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:05:00 -0400

Millennials are demanding affordable, healthy, and local food choices that are driving food safety innovation.

Responding to Harvey and Irma: Rapid Response Teams Take Action

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400

The disruptions following a natural disaster can create potential health concerns.

Case Update: Produce Targeted by Man Spraying Mouse Poison

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 04:01:00 -0500

The number one thing to remember is that alert employees are the most important company asset in any food defense program.

A Tale of Food Safety Woes: This Ever Happen To You?

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 04:03:00 -0400

Valuable lessons can be learned from the mistakes made across the food industry. Those accounts warrant telling and repeating.

A Cautionary Tale: The Importance of Diligence and Candor in Food Product Contamination Insurance

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 04:02:00 -0400

As this case illustrates, transparency is absolutely essential to protect your company’s bottom line.

Implementing Active Managerial Control Principles in a Retail Food Business

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

The retail foodservice business must achieve daily active managerial control (AMC) of the risk factors contributing to foodborne illness.

Process Water: Going Green Doesn’t Mean Less Safe

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 00:10:00 -0500

Nestlé S.A., which has operations in 197 countries with 339,000 employees, has expanded its dairy factory in Jalisco, Mexico, transforming it into the company’s first “zero water” manufacturing site in the world.