Finalists were selected in the categories of SQF Auditing and SQF Practitioner Leadership
Data-driven decision-making is revolutionizing food safety risk assessments, replacing guesswork with objective, measurable evidence. Predictive analytics, collaborative digital tools, and Industry 4.0 innovations all work together to empower professionals to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate. Clear, accurate risk assessments reduce cognitive bias and reinforce industry accountability.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. battled his way through his second Senate confirmation hearing today but the Senate hearings focused Mr. Kennedy’s views on vaccination and did not touch on his food and agriculture ideas and plans. Kennedy is on record saying the public health establishment is too focused on infectious diseases and wants to redirect resources toward issues he characterizes as the chronic disease epidemic, including obesity, diabetes, autism and mental illnesses. He blames them on corporations including food companies for producing highly processed, non-nutritious food using harmful pesticides and additives.
Food Safety and Risk Management and the role of an often overlooked stakeholder, your Insurance Company
Risk mitigation is in the best interest of ALL parties involved, and that includes the insurance underwriters and brokers who service the food industry with recall and other liability policies. Increasingly, insurers are finding ways to provide financial support to food companies. The drivers and benefits for doing so are the subject of this webinar. Join Melanie Neumann of Neumann Advisory Services and David Hatch from Neogen as they provide attendees a view into how digitized food safety testing programs offer much-needed data fuel to risk assessments. Melanie and David will recount real-world examples to illustrate how use of advanced testing methods, data analytics and data management, analytics and workflow automation technologies are being applied to mitigate many forms of risk, and why insurers are increasingly becoming involved in advancing these capabilities.
Eskin, a respected leader in food safety, most recently at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has a long track record of food safety advocacy. Throughout her career, Eskin has worked on a broad range of food safety, consumer protection, and public policy issues.
Food Safety Consortium Conference
Food Safety Tech and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) are excited to announce that the 2025 Food Safety Consortium will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, from October 19-21. The 2025 event will focus on the convergence of policy, science, and best practices. With the conference being held near Washington, D.C., this year will place a renewed emphasis on policy discussions, reflecting the growing need to address regulatory and legislative issues. The program will also prioritize the sharing of best practices, offering attendees the chance to learn from one another and engage in collaborative problem-solving on hot-button issues.
Preparing for FSMA 204 requires a multifaceted approach that combines technology, data standardization, and employee engagement. By investing in solutions that streamline reporting, enhance data consistency, and bring employees along through training and education, F&B companies can position themselves for success. These actions will help ensure compliance with FSMA 204 and lead to more efficient, transparent, and resilient supply chains, ultimately improving food safety for consumers.
These programs perform a majority of food inspections reported by the FDA, including processing facility inspections, produce safety inspections, and retail food inspections.
The Food Safety Consortium Conference, Oct. 19-21, 2025, will be at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA. Abstract Submissions are Due February 21, 2025. Guiding the 2025 program is a newly formed committee lead by Donna Garren, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Science & Policy, American Frozen Food Institute and Rick Biros, Content Director & Publisher, Food Safety Tech.
Food and beverage manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in their products will have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate their products.
