Beltway Beat

Trump Planning to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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According tho the Wall Street Journal, President Trump has signed off on a plan to fire Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary.

Top administration officials have become increasingly convinced Makary has to go because, in addition to months of turmoil, complaints from some in the pharmaceutical industry have continued to mount, people familiar with the matter said. Kennedy last year had considered installing someone else to run the FDA while Makary remained a figurehead.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump recently became frustrated with Makary for not moving fast enough to approve flavored vapes and other nicotine products. Makary in February refused to authorize blueberry and mango vape flavors from Los Angeles manufacturer Glas, worried that fruit flavors would encourage youth vaping. After the pressure from Trump, he reversed course and authorized the flavors. Makary has also run into criticism from biotech companies with rare-disease drugs, as well as patients and their advocates.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, the influential president of antiabortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, recently renewed her call for Makary to be fired. The Wall Street Journal reported that Makary said he could have stalled approval of a generic form of the abortion pill, but didn’t.

Trump tapped Makary for the FDA post in November 2024, as Kennedy and other health department leaders bonded in meetings at Dr. Mehmet Oz’s oceanfront Florida mansion. Kennedy described Makary, along with Oz and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, as “friends” who stayed in each other’s homes and vacationed together, in a Fox News interview last year.

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Beltway Beat

USDA Announces Food Safety and Inspection Service Reorganization, Establishes National Food Safety Center in Iowa

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a reorganization of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to modernize operations, streamline support functions and better align the agency with the nation’s agricultural landscape. As part of this effort, USDA will establish a new National Food Safety Center (NFSC) in Urbandale, Iowa, which will serve as the primary hub for FSIS administrative, technical and support operations.

Opponents, including some Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns that these types of reallocations are used to downsize agency effectiveness and affect morale, rather than improve services.

Marion Nestle says the move will gut the agency, destroy its expertise, and disable it for years to come. She adds “That has to be the intent. Add these to the 27,000 people who have already left USDA since Trump II, 37% of its staff.  Surely, some of those people helped get the agency’s work done.”

Establishing a Central Hub for Food Safety Operations

FSIS will repurpose existing USDA space in Urbandale, Iowa, to establish the new National Food Safety Center (NFSC), which will become the agency’s largest office in the United States with approximately 200 employees.

The NFSC will serve as FSIS’ primary location for headquarters support functions, including resource management, training, food safety education, financial operations, information technology and administrative services. By consolidating these functions in a centrally located hub, FSIS will reduce duplication, improve coordination and expand access to career opportunities for employees across the country. The establishment of the NFSC marks a significant shift in the agency’s operational footprint, placing key functions closer to the agricultural and food production systems that FSIS regulates and supports.

Expanding Scientific Leadership in Georgia

FSIS will also establish a Science Center in Athens, Georgia, building on its existing Eastern Field Services Laboratory and expanding its capabilities in microbiology, chemistry and epidemiology. The Science Center will strengthen FSIS’ scientific leadership and ensure continued access to top-tier academic institutions, a robust public health workforce and key industry partners.

Aligning Workforce and Functions Nationwide

Under the reorganization, FSIS will relocate approximately two-thirds of its National Capital Region workforce to mission-critical locations, including the National Food Safety Center in Iowa and the Science Center in Georgia.

Approximately 200 positions will be relocated from Washington D.C, while roughly 100 positions will remain to support congressional engagement, policy development and interagency coordination. FSIS will also establish a presence in Fort Collins, Colorado, for staff supporting international activities, further aligning the agency with USDA’s broader geographic footprint.

Maintaining Continuity in Food Safety Operations

The reorganization does not impact FSIS’ frontline inspection workforce which represents 85 percent of employees and operates across more than 6,800 regulated establishments. All food safety inspection activities and public health protections will continue without interruption, and the reorganization does not include any reduction in force. All FSIS employees will retain positions within the agency.

Track and Trace, traceability, supply chain

Benefits of Traceability Solutions Research Results Announced

By Carlos Alejandrino, Wiggs Civitillo
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Track and Trace, traceability, supply chain

Starfish recently conducted an analysis of the benefits of traceability solutions. This study had over 300 respondents across various food-related sub-industries, including produce, meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, packaged & manufactured goods. The surveyed companies spanned across production, logistics, retail, and services functions across the industry value chain. Respondents came from both large and small companies, with employees from Kroger, Merck, and Amazon included.

Survey Method

Respondents were asked which benefits they Intended and Incurred/ Experienced when utilizing traceability benefits, additionally they were asked which benefit they felt was the Most Valuable. Four answers were offered: (1) Improve Compliance, Insurance, and Legal; (2) Improve Operational Efficiency; (3) Reduce Impact of Recalls, Waste, and Errors; and (4) Increase Revenue. These four options were based on categories of traceability benefits defined by Planet Tracker.

Survey Results

Reducing the Impact of Recalls, Waste, and Errors was a significant reason for companies engaging with traceability solutions. This answer was the #1 most chosen intended benefit in 7 out of 10 respondent categories, with it being the #2 most chosen in the other 3 categories.

Reducing the Impact of Recalls, Waste, and Errors and Increasing Revenue were equally common benefits that respondents Incurred / Experienced. Both answers were the #1 most chosen Intended benefit in 5 out of 10 respondent categories, with both being either the #1 or #2 most chosen in all categories.

Interestingly, when asked which benefit of utilizing traceability was the most valuable, the other two answer options gained prominence. Improving Operational Efficiency was the #1 most chosen as the Most Valuable benefit in 8 out of 10 categories, with it being the #2 most chosen in the other 2 categories. Uniquely, Improving Compliance, Insurance, and Legal was the #1 Most Valuable benefit for Dairy and Egg companies, this being the only time it appeared as the most significant benefit in any question and the largest gap between the #1 and #2 most chosen benefit across sub-industry categories.

Empirical Findings

Recall, Waste, and Error impact reductions in findings from empirical studies come in the form of greater speed and information quality. In a survey conducted by Sparling and others (2011), 60% of growers and processors chose “faster and more precise recalls” as the greatest benefit to tracing services. This significance is supported by examples of major efficiency in recall management. Including outbreak-source identification time reduction from 35 days to 6 days and a reduction in the direct costs of recalls by 90% for short shelf life products (like fresh seafood) and by 95% for longer shelf life products (like frozen seafood) [Planet Tracker].

Increasing Revenue results in empirical findings come in the form of price premiums and greater sales volumes. The Sparling and others (2011) survey included supply chain efficiencies (operational efficiency) or increased market access (revenue) as the next most common responses for the greatest traceability benefits. Revenue increase can come from increase can from expanded markets and increased customer demand, which 50-62% of firms reported in a Planet Tracker survey. Chinese and Japanese consumers expressed that they would be willing to pay a 6% and 10% premium for traceable seafood [Planet Tracker].

Improving Operational Efficiency benefits in empirical findings span multiple types of outcomes. An Indonesian fishing company experienced a 10% reduction in unproductive vessel trips [Pointrek]. Fresh Del Monte experienced energy and efficiency savings of 15 – 30% [Strailey 2023]. A study on the Spanish vegetable industry found reduced production disruptions of 90%, lower indirect costs of 20%, increased warehousing capacity of 15% and cut safety stock of 30%.

The Dairy and Egg sub-industry’s focus on Improving Compliance, Insurance, and Legal could stem from the sector’s heightened frequency of recalls, with Dairy accounting for the most recalls by far in Q1 2025, with the number being consistent in 2024 [Global Food Recall Index 2025].

Conclusion

Reducing the Impact of Recalls, Waste, and Errors, and Revenue Increases are the most intended and experienced benefits of traceability services. Operational Efficiency is the most valuable benefit, this remains consistent across company roles and sub-industries, with Dairy a possible exception.

Sources:

Starfish strives to improve the safety of food. The team believes in the ability of traceability solutions to drive impactful benefits to achieve this goal and hopes that this and further research will drive awareness for the potential of traceability.

Eskin and Mettler
Beltway Beat

Call For Presentation and Poster Abstracts for the 15th Annual Food Safety Consortium Conference

By Rick Biros
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Eskin and Mettler

Food Safety Tech invites you to submit abstracts for consideration for the 2026 Food Safety Consortium Conference, October 21-23, 2026 in Washington DC

The 15th Annual Food Safety Consortium will take place October 21-23, 2026, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA directly across the Potomac River from  Washington, DC. The Program starts with several pre-conference workshops and training which leads into two full days of high-level panel discussions and educational presentations.

2019 FSC Audience

The 15th Annual Food Safety Consortium is a conference for food safety and quality assurance professionals that equips attendees with cutting-edge knowledge, practical skills, and a collaborative network to enhance their professional development as champions of food safety and innovation in the production of foods and beverages.

The conference’s mission is to elevate industry standards, and the exploration of key scientific and regulatory developments impacting public health and safety and its implications for food production. The Food Safety Consortium represents an invaluable opportunity for professionals to engage with leading experts, exchange insights, and collectively advance best practices in food safety. The conference scope includes both human and pet foods.

“Our conference committee has been advising me on the program. Attendees should expect to see topics such as the rise in digital transformation in food safety and quality, the impact of AI, risk management, FSQA benchmarking as well as continuing the discussion on the case for a single food protection agency.” said Rick Biros, Content Director & Publisher, Food Safety Tech.

Biros added, “this year is the 15th anniversary of FSMA, Food Safety Tech and The Food Safety Consortium. The big question is, has FSMA improved food safety in the 15 years? We plan to address that question as well as what do we need to do to improve food safety on a macro scale and in individual companies. What is the benchmark we measure against and what is our goals and timeline? Let’s call it our Food Safety Moon Shot!”

2026 Advisory Committee

  • Shahram Ajamian, Senior Director Global Quality and Food Safety Governance, McCormick
  • Al Baroudi, MS, Ph.D., Vice President, QA & Food Safety, The Cheesecake Factory
  • Jason P. Bashura, MPH, RS, PepsiCo R&D, Global Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Sr. Manager, Global Food Defense, PepsiCo
  • Peter Begg, Chief Quality and Food Safety Officer at Lyons Magnus
  • Rick Biros, Content Director & Publisher, Food Safety Tech (Committee Chairperson)
  • April Bishop, Chief Food Safety Officer, Urban Farmer
  • Byron D. Chaves, PhD., Associate Professor & Food Safety Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Michael Ciepiela,VP of Quality and Continuous Improvement, Southern Specialties
  • Darin Detwiler, L.P.D. Founder, Detwiler Consulting, LLC
  • Tracy Fink, Founder & Principal Advisor, ThinkFink Solutions, LLC
  • Melody Ge, Sr. Food Safety&Quality Advisor, MarsMel LLC, and President, Women In Food Safety
  • Jorge Hernandez, Quality Assurance VP, The Wendy’s Company
  • Jill Hoffman, Senior Director, Food Safety and Quality
B&G Foods, Inc
  • Justyce Jedlicka, NA Commercial Applications – Food & Beverage Regulatory Science & Lab Solutions, BioMonitoring, MilliporeSigm
  • Barbara C. Kowalcyk, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Institute for Food
    Safety and Nutrition Security, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
  • Jennifer Lott, Technical Development Director – Certification and Tailored Solutions, SGS North America
  • Melanie Neumann, President, Neumann Advisory Services, LLC
  • Debby Newslow, President, D. L. Newslow & Associates, Inc.

Submission Deadline: All abstracts must be submitted by Friday, May 22, 2026

Go to FoodSafetyConsortium.org and click on the Submit an Abstract button or use this link below:

Click Here to Submit an Abstract

The Cannabis Quality Conference is back! The Cannabis Quality Conference and the Food Safety Consortium will take place under one roof and at the same time. With both food and cannabis markets innovating relentlessly with new technology and best practices to improve quality and safety, the two conferences running alongside each other will allow for a meeting of the minds like no other.

Dollar

Unilever Nears Deal to Create $60 Billion Food Giant With McCormick

By Randy Knotts
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According to the Wall Street Journal, Unilever is in advanced talks to combine its food business with spice-maker McCormick in a deal that would create a new food behemoth worth roughly $60 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.

The transaction is expected to be announced as early as Tuesday, March 31, 2026, following a board meeting on Monday to review final details.

The proposed merger between Unilever and McCormick in March 2026 brings both opportunities and risks regarding food safety, largely driven by the complexity of integrating two global supply chains.
General industry data suggests that while “transformational” mergers can lead to a 48% decrease in the volume of food recalled due to increased market concentration and quality investment, failure to integrate safety cultures properly can lead to production stoppages and reputational damage.
Beltway Beat

UPDATE: Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 in Raw Cheddar Cheese. Was it from RAW FARM or Not??

By Rick Biros
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Update March 30, 2026: Since the last FDA announcement on March 15, 2026, two (2) additional illnesses have been reported. A total of nine (9) people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from three (3) states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 1, 2025, to February 20, 2026. Three (3) people have been hospitalized and one (1) person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Over half of the illnesses are in children under five (5) years old.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people or their caregivers about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the eight (8) people interviewed, all eight (8) (100%) in this outbreak reported consuming or being served raw dairy products.

Of the eight (8) people interviewed, seven (7) had brand information available. One (1) person drank raw milk but didn’t know the brand. Of the seven (7) people interviewed who knew a brand, seven (7) (100%) reported RAW FARM-brand dairy products. In 2026, five (5) people reported consuming or being served RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese. In 2025, two (2) sick people reported consuming RAW FARM-brand raw milk. Affected RAW FARM-brand raw milk from 2025 should no longer be for sale.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that they are all closely related genetically to each other. This means that people in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection.

FDA has initiated an onsite inspection at RAW FARM, LLC in coordination with state partners. To date, FDA is not aware of any positive E. coli tests in RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products from this time period. FDA will update this advisory should additional information become available.

Original News Story March 19, 2026: The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections as reported on FDA’s website

As of March 14, 2026, a total of 7 confirmed infections have been reported from three states, including CA (5), FL (1), and TX (1). Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Whole genome sequencing analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that they are all closely related genetically to each other. This means that people in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. Additionally, 4 of 7 cases are 3 years old or younger. Two patients have been hospitalized. No deaths or HUS cases have been reported.

State and local public health officials have interviewed 3 ill people about food exposures of interest in this outbreak. All 3 people (100%) reported eating RAW FARM- brand raw cheddar cheese. State and local officials are working to gather additional data for the 4 other illnesses, including 2 illnesses that occurred in 2025. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products made by RAW FARM, LLC are the likely source of this outbreak.

FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined.

On the company’s website, RAW FARM issued their official statement “We 100% disagree with FDA’s false possible link and extreme allegations.” Aaron McAFee, President of RAW FARM is filmed in a 2:13 minute YouTube video explaining their position.

FDA states, the investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. To date, to FDA’s awareness, no RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese products from this time period have tested positive for E. coli. As part of this investigation, state partners initiated collection of product samples for testing and analysis, but results are not yet available.

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Beltway Beat

FDA Releases the CORE 2024 Annual Report: Investigations of Foodborne Outbreaks and Adverse Events in FDA-Regulated Foods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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On March 17, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, & Emergency Preparedness (CORE+EP) released its annual report summarizing the investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks and certain adverse events in FDA-regulated human foods for the 2024 calendar year.

The FDA’s CORE+EP, originally established in 2011 as the CORE Network, expanded in October 2024 to include an emergency preparedness team focused on food defense, traceability, and supply chain management. One of CORE+EP’s missions is to find, stop, and aid in the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. This is accomplished through disease surveillance, outbreak response, post-response activities, and collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health agencies, and international public health partners. Every year, CORE teams evaluate and respond to numerous foodborne outbreaks and certain adverse events linked to FDA-regulated products.

In 2024, CORE teams evaluated 72 incidents, responded to 26, and issued advisories for 10. These numbers remain similar to those from recent years, with 69 incidents evaluated, 25 responses, and 10 advisories issued in 2023. In 2024, CORE investigations resulted in numerous public health actions, including recalls, public health advisories, a Warning Letter, a consent decree of permanent injunction, and FDA prevention strategies.

The 2024 annual report highlights a few noteworthy outbreaks: a large outbreak of E. coli linked to carrots, a historical outbreak of illnesses associated with cheese, and a novel series of adverse events linked to certain chocolate bars, cones, and gummies.

Food Safety Culture Club

Catalyst Food Leaders Announces 2026 Virtual Leadership Summit for the Food Industry

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Catalyst Food Leaders will host its second annual Catalyst Leadership Summit on April 8, 2026, a virtual event designed to help food industry professionals rethink how leadership shapes culture, performance, and long-term business success.
Centered on the theme “Reimagining Leadership,” the summit will bring together leaders from across food manufacturing, operations, food safety, and executive leadership for a half-day of practical insights and real-world leadership conversations.

The event will feature keynote speaker Candice McGlen, author of Engage Us Now!, who will challenge leaders to rethink culture change as a grassroots effort that begins with individual ownership. Additional sessions will explore how leaders can build systems that support leadership development, address unconscious bias that limits growth, and create stronger team cultures that drive performance.

“Technical excellence has long defined leadership in food,” said Tia Glave, President of Catalyst Food Leaders. “But the industry’s biggest challenges today – retention, accountability, culture, and burnout – require leaders to develop people with the same intentionality they apply to operations.”

Registration and event details are available at: https://www.catalystfoodleaders.com/leadership-summit

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Beltway Beat

FDA Releases Risk Assessment of Foodborne Illness Associated with Pathogens from Produce Grown in Fields Amended with Untreated Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA is releasing a risk assessment that was conducted to evaluate and quantify the risk of human illness associated with consumption of produce grown in fields or other growing areas with untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including raw manure. Results of the risk assessment will be used to inform policy decisions regarding appropriate standards for the use of raw manure and other untreated BSAAO when growing produce.

Pathogens on produce, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7, Salmonella, and STEC non-O157 can cause human illness. The survival rate of pathogens from untreated BSAAO and their risk of contaminating crops are determined by various factors, including environmental conditions and agricultural practices. The FDA’s risk assessment investigated these factors and provides critical insights essential for protecting the nation’s produce supply and helping to ensure safe food for all Americans.

The untreated BSAAO risk assessment was completed in two phases. Part 1 focused on pre-harvest practices and conditions to determine the likelihood of produce being contaminated with pathogens before it is picked. It specifically analyzes how interventions, such as the waiting period between applying untreated BSAAO and harvesting the crops, affect the potential concentration of pathogens on the produce at the time of harvest. Part 2 modelled the path of potentially contaminated produce from the farm through the supply chain to the consumer. It includes processing activities, potential for cross-contamination during processing, transportation and storage, produce consumption, and the amount of pathogen exposure (STEC O157:H7, Salmonella, and STEC non-O157) required to cause illness through consumption of the produce commodity.

The main conclusion of this risk assessment is that extending the time between the application of untreated BSAAO and produce harvest significantly reduces the potential level of human pathogens on produce at the time of harvest. The effectiveness of this waiting period varied among the human pathogens analyzed and type of untreated BSAAO, as influenced by regional environmental conditions and the initial level of human pathogens in the raw manure.

The risk assessment model may also serve as a tool for stakeholders and industry in evaluating risks that may be associated with their agricultural practices and environmental conditions.

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Beltway Beat

FDA and Partners in the Central Coast Agricultural Region of California Share Findings from Multi-year Environmental Study

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that it is sharing initial findings from a multi-year environmental study conducted in California’s Central Coast agricultural region that will inform efforts to further improve the safety of produce — an essential component of a healthy diet. The California Longitudinal Study was conducted in partnership with the Western Center for Food Safety at the University of California, Davis, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and regional agricultural stakeholders.

The Central Coast of California is farmed year-round and supplies a large volume of produce, which includes more than 400 commodities. However, there have been periodic foodborne illness outbreaks associated with the region, including several that occurred between 2016 and 2020 caused by the same E. coli O157:H7 strain. This study sought to identify environmental factors that significantly contribute to the introduction, persistence, and spread of foodborne pathogens that could contaminate produce prior to harvest. Increasing FDA’s understanding of the ecology of this growing region as it pertains to foodborne pathogens is to the benefit of consumers, producers, academia, and food safety officials as it allows for continued improvement in best growing practices to enhance food safety.

The longitudinal study, which began in 2020, followed an adaptive research design in which sample collection matrices, sites, and frequencies were continually assessed and refined to obtain maximum useful, practical information. Through repeated sample collection, testing, measurement, and analysis, the research team observed trends in pathogen presence in this region over time, providing insightful information on prevalence, location, and potentially influencing factors such as seasonality, weather conditions, and domesticated and wild animal activities on adjacent and nearby land.

Initial findings related to E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been posted to the FDA’s California Longitudinal Study webpage and are summarized below:

Animal Sources of Contamination: Fecal samples from rangeland beef cattle, feral pigs, deer, birds, and coyotes were frequent sources of STEC. Viable STEC was recovered from fresh and older, drier feces from livestock and wildlife found in the sampling area. These results suggest that STEC may remain viable in fecal material for extended periods.

Environmental Sources of Contamination: Surface waters and associated sediments may facilitate STEC persistence, and in the case of water, STEC movement in the region. STEC was not recovered in a substantial amount of soil or air samples, indicating that these are not likely impacting the spread of STEC in the region. However, STEC was observed in water and sediment from rivers and creeks, and to a lesser extent in irrigation tailwater and tailwater sediment (accumulations of field runoff from irrigation practices) collected at field edges.

STEC Diversity, Persistence, and Movement: Twelve different E. coli O157:H7 strains were isolated from environmental samples; however, the strain responsible for outbreaks between 2016 and 2020 was not recovered. STEC isolated from wildlife feces genetically matched strains from cattle feces, other wildlife feces, and in some cases, water, sediment, and soil. Six different highly pathogenic STEC serotypes were identified and some strains of these serotypes persisted for nearly two years.

The FDA will engage with stakeholders to further discuss the data and findings from this study and assist stakeholder efforts to develop practices to manage the risks posed by the potential sources of contamination. Additional information and publications will be added to FDA’s California Longitudinal Study webpage as they become available.