In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Matt Brosseau, Founder of Path Forward Consulting, about equipment qualifications, why it is important for food processors to understand them, and how Path Forward Consulting can support processors in the equipment qualification process.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Blake Harris, CSCP, the Technical Director of IFT's Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC), and Alison Grantham, Ph.D., the Founder of Grow Well Consulting and a GFTC Member, to discuss the work of GFTC and how industry is preparing to comply with the requirements of FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule under FSMA 204, which comes into effect on January 1, 2026. 

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with two food safety experts from MilliporeSigma—Justyce Jedlicka, Food and Beverage Regulatory Liaison in North America, and Andrew Lienau, Food Regulatory and Validation Expert—to discuss the threat that Cronobacter poses to food safety and public health, and how testing for this complex pathogen is crucial to controlling its impact.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Dr. Kathy Knutson, an author, food safety consultant, and educator for the cannabis industry. She discusses packaging, good manufacturing practices, training, and other considerations for ensuring the safety of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages, as well as the complicated patchwork of state regulations for cannabis and the potential for future federal regulation. We also hear from Dr. Hal King, the Editor of Food Safety Leadership in the Business of Food Safety, a new digital book published by Food Safety Magazine that serves as a resource for the retail foodservice industry. The book defines and models food safety business leadership from the perspective of top food safety business leaders at best-in-class retail foodservice operations.

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by two experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the agency’s enforcement of allergen requirements for foods, allergen recall trends, and the implications of the FASTER Act officially making sesame a major food allergen.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Dr. Lise Korsten—a leading researcher in the areas of food safety, water quality, and post-harvest intervention strategies for produce—to discuss her work to prevent microbial contamination of crops in Africa, global regulatory trends and future challenges affecting the food system, and the potential of emerging technologies to ensure food safety and security in an ever-changing world. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Dr. Barbara Masters—Vice President of Regulatory Policy, Food, and Agriculture at Tyson Foods Inc.—about food safety policy and leadership in the meat and poultry industry, informed by her 34 years of experience in the sector across veterinary, regulatory, advisory, and corporate roles.

This episode of Food Safety Matters features a discussion about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Food Code in light of its 30^th anniversary. We are joined by two retail food safety regulators from FDA and two environmental health specialists with experience in Food Code adoption and implementation.

This bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, in honor of National Food Safety Education Month, brings together a representative from the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) and FMI, The Food Industry Association to discuss the food safety education efforts of their organizations.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Darin Detwiler, LP.D., M.A.Ed., who is a food safety academic, advisor, advocate, and author with a 30-year history of working to control foodborne illness. Dr. Detwiler discusses the U.S. food safety system as portrayed in the 2023 Netflix documentary Poisoned, in which he is prominently featured. Additionally, Bob Ferguson discusses his latest Food Safety Insights column on food processors’ post-pandemic priorities and challenges.