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Beltway Beat

FSIS to take over inspections when Boar’s Head plant reopens

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The Associated Press reported that Jarratt, Virginia, factory is set to resume operations in the coming months. It will face at least 90 days of heightened monitoring and inspections by federal Food Safety and Inspection Service officials. Previously, inspections were conducted by state officials who operated on behalf of the agency.

The Jarratt, Virginia, factory is set to resume operations in the coming months. It will face at least 90 days of heightened monitoring and inspections by federal Food Safety and Inspection Service officials. Previously, inspections were conducted by state officials who operated on behalf of the agency.

The change aims to “ensure the establishment consistently and effectively implements its corrected food safety plans,” USDA officials said in a statement. It calls for stricter enforcement if lapses occur.

The shift to direct federal oversight underscores the severity of the problems at the Boar’s Head plant, said Sandra Eskin, a former USDA official who now heads STOP Foodborne Illness, a consumer advocacy group. It raises concerns about communication between state and federal officials when problems occur, she added.

“Given its history, it’s particularly important that there be robust oversight of that plant,” Eskin said.

AP reported that Boar’s Head officials said in a statement that they have worked with state and federal regulators “to ensure the successful and safe reopening of the Jarratt facility.”

Beltway Beat

Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, FDA To Present at the Food Safety Consortium

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Donna Garren, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Science & Policy at AFFI who co-chairs the Food Safety Consortium program committee confirmed that Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, FDA will present at the Food Safety Consortium Conference, October 19-21 in Washington DC.

Mr. Diamantas will join Dr. Denise Eblen, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in a plenary session called “Regulators in the Spotlight: FDA & USDA’s Vision for Safer Food.” They discuss FDA and FSIS’ vision for advancing food safety through science-based policymaking, enhanced surveillance, and streamlined regulatory frameworks.

Equally important, this session will emphasize the critical role of stakeholder engagement. Attendees will hear how industry leaders, state regulators, consumer advocates, and academic partners can actively participate in shaping policy—ensuring that new regulations are practical, effective, and rooted in collaboration.

Dr. Emilio Esteban, Chief Scientific Officer for Mérieux NutriSciences’ North America division, and Head of its Global Analytical Hub and former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA is the opening keynote speaker. The closing keynote speaker is Ricky Dickson, Author and Former CEO of Blue Bell Creameries.

The full program is available at FoodSafetyConsortium.org

Ask The Expert

Dr. Darin Detwiler to lead Goal Oriented Leadership Communication Workshop at the Food Safety Consortium

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Rick Biros, Food Safety Consortium Conference Committee Co-Chair announced that Dr. Darin Detwiler, a professor, author, and internationally recognized food safety expert, will lead a pre-conference workshop called Goal Oriented Leadership Communication, an interactive workshop that will explore best-in-class communication strategies rooted in behavioral science.

“Effective leadership in food safety isn’t just about setting rules—it’s about influencing behavior through clear, goal-driven communication. Simply telling employees to wash their hands or follow protocols “because you said so” is not enough to ensure compliance or drive long-term change. So how can leaders at all levels—from plant managers to frontline supervisors—communicate in a way that aligns actions with core food safety goals.” said Dr. Detwiler.

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Dr. Darin Detwiler, Director at Food Safety Tech’s Food Safety Supply Chain Conference

Workshop Participants will gain practical tools to:

  • Align leadership messages with desired food safety outcomes
  • Enhance communication effectiveness through structured inputs, actions, outputs, and measurable results
  • Improve documentation and reporting to reinforce accountability
  • Develop strategies to overcome persistent food safety challenges

Attendees will not only engage in hands-on exercises but will also leave with a customizable worksheet to plan, implement, and evaluate communication strategies in their own workplaces. Join this session to strengthen your leadership impact and drive a stronger culture of food safety through goal-oriented communication.

Information about the workshop is at FoodSafetyConsortium.org and click on Agenda

Beltway Beat

Secretary Kennedy Swears in Susan Monarez as CDC Director

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Susan Monarez, Ph.D., was sworn in today as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Director Monarez, the first Senate-confirmed director of the CDC, brings decades of frontline experience in disaster preparedness, biosecurity, and health innovation.

“Dr. Monarez is a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I have full confidence in her ability to restore the CDC’s role as the most trusted authority in public health and to strengthen our nation’s readiness to confront infectious diseases and biosecurity threats.”

“It is a great honor to join Secretary Kennedy and his HHS leadership team,” said Director Monarez. “I consider it a privilege to work alongside the public servants at CDC. Together we will strengthen and modernize the nation’s public health preparedness and response through science and innovation.”

Director Monarez most recently served as Acting Director of CDC and Deputy Director for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, where she transformed the HHS operating division’s data collection, disease detection and treatment technologies. She has held previous leadership and advisory roles with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at HHS, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Security Council.

Director Monarez earned her PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she conducted research on developing technologies aimed at the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. She completed her postdoctoral research fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

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Beltway Beat

Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Ada Valley Meat Company, an Ada, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,065 pounds of a fully cooked frozen ground beef product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on July 29.

The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint reporting that pieces of metal were found in the product.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in institutional freezers. Institutions who have purchased these products are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

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Beltway Beat

FDA Announces FY2026 User Fees for VQIP and TPP

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the fiscal year (FY) 2026 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP).

The user fee rates are authorized by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and allow the agency to assess and collect fees to cover the FDA’s cost of administering these programs.

Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)

VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that offers importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.

The FY2026 VQIP user fee supports program benefits from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Approved VQIP applicants must pay the user fee before October 1, 2025, to begin receiving benefits for FY 2026.

The FY 2026 VQIP User Fees are detailed in the Federal Register Notice announcing the FY 2026 VQIP User Fee Rates.

Direct questions regarding VQIP to the VQIP Importers Help Desk at 1-301-796-8745 or FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov.

Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP)

TPP is a voluntary program in which FDA recognizes “accreditation bodies” that may accredit third-party “certification bodies.” The certification bodies can conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities. The FY 2026 TPP user fee rate will be effective on October 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2026.

Questions regarding TPP can be sent to FDAthirdpartyprogram@fda.hhs.gov.

The FY 2026 Third-Party Certification Fees are detailed in the Federal Register Notice announcing the FY2026 Third-Party Certification Program User Fee Rates.

You can also subscribe to receive updates about the U.S. Import programs policies and regulations by visiting the FDA Email Updates page and entering your email address.

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Beltway Beat

AOAC INTERNATIONAL and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Establish MOU for Food Test Methods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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In a press release, AOAC INTERNATIONAL (AOAC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June. This MOU establishes a strategic framework for developing, validating, and recognizing methods FSIS laboratories, as well as regulated establishments, use to verify the effectiveness of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) based food safety systems.

FSIS is part of a science-based national public health system to ensure food safety and food defense in the United States. FSIS ensures food safety through the authorities of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, as well as humane animal handling through the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

“This new MOU with FSIS marks a pivotal step forward in our shared commitment to promote public health,” said David B. Schmidt, AOAC Executive Director. “By strengthening our collaboration, we are facilitating an even more resilient food safety system—one that ensures regulatory testing is backed by science, vigilance, and trusted methods.”

The MOU outlines how AOAC and FSIS will work together cooperatively where mutual interests have been identified, including collaboration on scientific method training and other educational initiatives; development of Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) documents, validation guidance and/or method validation protocols; development of proficiency testing programs; and adoption or certification of methods for specific regulations or monitoring programs, such as Salmonella quantification. Once methods are validated through AOAC Official Methods of AnalysisSM (OMA) or Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) programs, there will be greater confidence that methods are fit for purpose and can be used by FSIS laboratories and constituents for applicable testing needs.

“The involvement of FSIS experts in the development of AOAC standards and evaluation of methods submitted for method conformity assessment through AOAC OMA and PTM programs is very important for ensuring their fitness for purpose from both scientific and regulatory perspectives,” said Katerina Mastovska, Ph.D., AOAC Deputy Executive Director and Chief Science Officer.

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Beltway Beat

Update on Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Ready-to-Eat Foods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, announced in a press release that they investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to recalled Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods, or products that do not need additional cooking, produced by Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC of San Fernando, CA.

The recalled products were identified by the “Use By” dates from 4/22/2025 to 5/19/2025 and include the following brand names:

  • Fresh & Ready Foods
  • City Point Market Fresh Food to Go
  • Fresh Take Crave Away

These products are no longer available for sale in stores.

CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 10 illnesses in two states. There has been a total of 10 hospitalizations and one death attributed to listeriosis.

FDA is working with Fresh & Ready Foods on corrective and preventive actions.

FDA’s outbreak investigation is complete.

To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety Tech’s weekly Newsletter, click here

EAS Consulting Group Announces New Webinar: A Guide to FSMA 204

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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EAS Consulting Group, a trusted leader in regulatory affairs and food safety consulting, has announced its upcoming webinar: “A Guide to FSMA 204: Sorting Through the Confusion of the FDA’s New Traceability Rule for Added Food Safety.”

This exclusive online event will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and will offer invaluable insights into the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204, focusing on the FDA’s new traceability requirements that are shaping the future of food safety.

FSMA 204, or the Food Traceability Rule, will require enhanced recordkeeping for facilities handling foods that have a high risk of foodborne illness. To comply with the law, manufacturers who are subject to the rule must maintain enhanced traceability records, develop traceability plans, and provide records to the FDA in 24 hours.

Why Attend? Compliance with the requirements was originally set for January 2026. However, the FDA has now delayed implementation by 30 months to allow more time for small grocers to comply without undue financial and logistical strain. Compliance is likely to become mandatory in mid-2028.

While the compliance date has shifted, it’s never too early to determine whether your facility is subject to the rule, and if so, to better understand the requirements.

Webinar Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM ET
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Cost: Free (registration required)

The webinar will be led by two of EAS Consulting Group’s seasoned regulatory experts – Senior Director for Food Services Tim Lombardo and Independent Consultant Thomas Bell.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions prior to and following the webinar in order to gain personalized advice based on their unique challenges.

How to Register:To register for the webinar, visit https://easconsultinggroup.com/a-guide-to-fsma-204/ and secure your spot today. Contact trainings@easconsultinggroup.com with any questions or concerns.

Beltway Beat

Dr. Denise Eblen, Administrator, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to present at the Food Safety Consortium

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Donna Garren, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Science & Policy at AFFI who co-chairs the Food Safety Consortium program committee confirmed that Dr. Denise Eblen, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will present at the Food Safety Consortium Conference, October 19-21 in Washington DC.

Dr. Eblen will outline FSIS’ vision for advancing food safety through science-based policymaking, enhanced surveillance, and streamlined regulatory frameworks. She will offer updates on USDA’s strategies to reduce the burden of foodborne pathogens in meat and poultry products. Equally important, this session will emphasize the critical role of stakeholder engagement. Attendees will hear how industry leaders, state regulators, consumer advocates, and academic partners can actively participate in shaping policy—ensuring that new regulations are practical, effective, and rooted in collaboration.

Dr. Emilio Esteban, Chief Scientific Officer for Mérieux NutriSciences’ North America division, and Head of its Global Analytical Hub and former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA is the opening keynote speaker. The closing keynote speaker is Ricky Dickson, Author and Former CEO of Blue Bell Creameries.

The full program is available at FoodSafetyConsortium.org