The schedule features several pre-conference workshops that can be added onto your registration and then moves into two full days of high-level panel discussions and educational presentations. As you explore the schedule below you can click on speaker names to learn more about their expertise.

Jump to:

Sunday, October 20, 2024

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Open

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP:

Application of Three-Class Sampling and Testing Plans – A Renewed Approach to Identifying the Prevalence and Levels of Listeria monocytogenes in Different Foods

During this half-day workshop, attendees will learn (or re-learn) the basics of finished food product testing with a focus on three-class plans to identify and enumerate the foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Participants will gain insights through a comparative study of currently used methods versus enumerative approaches, particularly in food products considered as low-risk (because they do not support growth) for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. This workshop is crucial for attendees as it highlights the importance of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data to enhance risk management decisions. With USDA and FDA’s zero action limits for Listeria monocytogenes, we have collectively missed over a decade of valuable data that could inform better decision-making processes. By understanding and applying three-class sampling and testing plans, attendees can contribute to a more nuanced approach in identifying the prevalence and levels of Listeria monocytogenes in different foods. This renewed approach not only aids in complying with regulatory requirements but also plays a vital role in the continuous improvement of food safety practices.

Don Schaffner

Rutgers University, Professor

Jeff Lucas

Senior Director, Technical Services AT Merieux NutriSciences

Sanjay Gummalla, Ph.D.

Senior VP Scientific Affairs, AFFI

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP:

Advanced Food Safety HACCP
Debby Newslow

Newslow & Associates, President

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP:

Food Safety Auditor Training

This 4-part series is designed to provide the knowledge, behaviors and technical skills attributed to a competent food safety auditor.

Trish Wester

Association for Food Safety Auditing Professionals, President

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP:

Unveiling the Source: Investigating the Causes of Food Safety Events

Join us for a 1/2 day interactive workshop where we delve into the intricacies of root cause analysis and its pivotal role in determining the causes of adverse food safety events.

Donna Garren, Ph.D.

AFFI, EVP of Science & Policy

Kelly Stevens

General Mills, Director of Global Food Safety

Denise Webster

SCS Global Services, VP of Food Safety

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP:

FSPCA Intentional Adulteration Conducting Vulnerability Assessments

This 1 day course will provide participants with the knowledge to implement the requirements of conducting a vulnerability assessment under the Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (IA) regulation of the FDA.

Lance Roberie

Food Safety & Quality Services, Founder

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

AFFI Food Safety Working Group Event (Members Only)

Monday, October 21, 2024

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration Open

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Light Breakfast & Networking

8:45 am - 9:00 am

FSC Welcome and Opening Remarks

Join us to set intentions for what you are able to give and what you want to receive while at Food Safety Consortium.

Rick Biros

Food Safety Consortium, Conference Director

Donna Garren, Ph.D.

AFFI, EVP of Science & Policy

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Federal Agency Spotlight and Keynote:

Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones and Deputy ACRA to Discuss the Future of FDA’s New Human Foods Program

Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, FDA, will delve into the agency’s re-organization, key regulatory policy priorities, and commitment to stakeholder transparency.

Jim Jones

FDA, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods

Donna Garren, Ph.D.

AFFI, EVP of Science & Policy (moderator)

Doug Stearn

FDA, Deputy Associate Commissioner of Regulatory Affairs

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Coffee & Networking

10:30 am - 11:15 am

Federal Agency Spotlight and Keynote:

Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin to Discuss USDA’s Food Safety Priorities

During this keynote session, attendees will have the opportunity to gain deep insights into emerging challenges, innovative strategies, and collaborative approaches to advancing food safety.

Sandra Eskin

USDA FSIS, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety

11:15 am - Noon

Navigating Global Food Systems: Insights and Strategies for Compliance with FDA’s Food Traceability Rule

This session will feature regulatory, technology, and industry experts as they discuss successes, challenges, and key learnings associated with the preparation and execution of compliance efforts

Alex Hoang

Chipotle, Manager, Traceability & Quality Systems

Julie McGill

Trustwell, VP of Supply Chain Strategy & Insights

Adam Friedlander, MS

FDA, Policy Analyst

Sara Bratager

Institute of Food Technologists, Senior Food Safety & Traceability Scientist

Noon - 12:30 pm

Food as a Vehicle for Wellness in an Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS)

The IFSS provides the vision, guiding principles and key components of a coordinated approach to food safety. Through the implementation of seamless partnerships and operations among federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies as well as academic, foreign, industry and consumer stakeholders (strategic partners) the consumers will have access to a nutritious, safe, and abundant food supply. Five key actions are needed to achieve this vision. 

Erik Mettler

FDA, Assistant Commissioner for Integration within the Office of Integrated Food Safety System Partnerships

12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

Lunch

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

BREAKOUT 1: FSMA 204 is 15 months away. Are All Systems Go?

With the compliance deadline for FDA’s Food Traceability Rule, FSMA 204, rapidly approaching, it’s crucial to assess your readiness. Andrew Kennedy, a key architect of the FSMA 204 rule while at FDA, offers a strategic road map for compliance

Andrew Kennedy

New Era Partners, Co-Founder

Hilary Thesmar, Ph.D., R.D.

The Food Industry Association (FMI), Chief Science Officer & SVP of Food Safety

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

BREAKOUT 2: The Promise of Digitally Enabled Food Safety Testing Innovation

Forward-thinking organizations are employing a digitally enabled approach to environmental monitoring and product sampling programs and have seen the justification for doing so in new ways. Not only does a digitally automated approach to testing yield accelerated time-to-information, and therefore a more preventative stance… it can also drive new business benefits. This diverse panel of experts will relate their different perspectives as they have witnessed and participated in the early adoption of advanced technology and related data management techniques – as practitioners, educators, and technology developers. These perspectives will come together in this panel discussion session to reveal how to justify investment into digital innovation to achieve not only a more preventative stance, but also deliver multiple positive ROI impacts across a range of operational measures. 

Eric Newcomb

Technical Services Quality Manager; Nortera Foods

Barbara Kowalcyk

Associate Professor and Director of Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security George Washington University, Washington, DC

David Hatch

VP, Digital Solutions Marketing; Neogen Corporation

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

BREAKOUT 3: Pathogen PI Case Files: Biofilm

In this presentation, industry experts Tracy Fink and Martin Wiedmann will share the latest best practices in identifying, mitigating, and controlling biofilm formation in foods and facilities.

Tracy Fink

Institute of Food Technologists, Director,  Scientific Programs & Science and Policy Initiatives

Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D.

Cornell University, Professor

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm

Tech Talks

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm

BREAKOUT 1: Food Allergen Controls and the Need for Advisory Labels

What a PCQI needs to consider to meet expectations for justifying the use of allergen advisory labels. This is important because FDA and international governments are increasingly expecting scientific justification for the use of allergen advisory labels.

Steven Gendel, Ph.D.

Gendel Food Safety, Principal

Britney Geter

PepsiCo, Principal Scientist

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT 2: The Impacts of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and Food Donation

Learn how unique solutions such as thorough data tracking and predictive analytics in addition to a focus on food safety ultimately provides bottom-line benefits and positive community health outcomes.

Al Baroudi, MS, Ph.D.

Cheesecake Factory, VP, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Glenda Lewis, MSPH

FDA, Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer Director, Retail Food Protection Staff

Mike Learakos

Abound Food Care, CEO

Priya Kadam

FDA, Senior Advisor

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT 3: Food Defense in the Digital Era

This presentation explores the increasingly intertwined realms of cybersecurity and food defense, highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding our food systems in the digital era.

Radojka Barycki

Safe Food Alliance, Director, Training and Consulting

Kristen Demoranville

AnzenSage, CEO, Founder

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Coffee & Soft Drinks Served in Exhibit Area

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

BREAKOUT 1: Are you the weakest link in the supply chain? Steps for bulletproofing your facility to become a major supplier

This panel will cover common issues faced by both suppliers and retailers when it comes to safeguarding the entire food supply chain.

Jorge Hernandez

Wendy's, Quality Assurance VP

Tyler Williams

ASI Food Safety, CEO

Melody Ge

Senior Director of Food Safety & Quality Operations, Tree House Foods

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

BREAKOUT 2: CTEs and KDEs and TLCs (oh my!). Are You Dealing with a Traceability Rule Fear Factor?

If the mention of CTEs, KDEs, TLCs, and the FTL cause you stress or uncertainties, this session is for you. We discuss the who, what, when, why, and how of the Traceability Rule to help ensure you’re ready for January 2026

Benjamin Miller

The Acheson Group, EVP of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs

Brent Kobielush

Conagra, Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

BREAKOUT 3: Next Level Preventive Controls

This presentation goes beyond the basics of maintaining and improving existing Food Safety Plans to enhance food safety and help companies avoid common findings during FDA or third party audit visits

Cathy Crawford

HACCP Consulting Group, President

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

BREAKOUT 1: Assessing Food Fraud using PAS 96 to Meet GFSI and FSMA Requirements

This presentation will use information from PAS 96, Guide to Protecting and Defending Food and Drink from Deliberate Attack, and real-life examples to provide insights and guidance when completing/reviewing your VACCP and TACCP programs

Jennifer Lott

SGS North America, Technical Development Director – Certification and Tailored Solutions

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

BREAKOUT 2: Demonstrating Food Safety Culture

Every organization has a food safety culture—the question is not whether you have one, but how you actively manage and enhance it. This session will delve into the critical role that leadership plays in shaping and nurturing a robust food safety culture across various facets of the food industry.

Mitzi Baum

STOP Foodborne Illness, CEO

Sean Leighton

Cargill, Global Vice President of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

BREAKOUT 3: Why are we still chasing Listeria; Is the Boar’s Head Outbreak a warning?

This session will cover an in-depth review of the available information on the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak. Using the USDA’s noncompliance reports for the Virginia facility, both individual findings as well as the overall root cause analysis will be analyzed. While the outbreak data is still incomplete, there are additional risk assessment factors to be explored that provide the context necessary to complete your own risk assessments.

Trish Wester

Association for Food Safety Auditing Professionals, President

5:15 pm - 6:45 pm

Reception in Exhibits

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Registration Open

7:30 AM - 8:25 AM

Women in Food Safety Breakfast

Join us for a special breakfast gathering at the Food Safety Consortium, sponsored by Mérieux NutriSciences, bringing together female leaders in food safety for an opportunity to network, connect, and share experiences. This breakfast is designed to foster meaningful conversations and build supportive relationships among women who are shaping the future of food safety. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging leader in the field, this event offers a welcoming environment to exchange stories, offer advice, and celebrate the successes and challenges unique to women in the food safety community.

8:00 AM - 8:25 AM

Coffee & Networking in Exhibits

8:25 AM - 9:10 AM

BREAKOUT 1: Building a Reliable Traceability System: A Stepwise Approach

This session delves into the methodological framework for designing a comprehensive food traceability program. We will present a stepwise approach emphasizing the critical role of data collection and analysis at each stage.

Sara Bratager

Institute of Food Technologists, Senior Food Safety & Traceability Scientist

Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D.

Food Safety Strategy, Founder

8:25 AM - 9:10 AM

BREAKOUT 2: From Quick-Checks to Comprehensive Inspections – Understanding and Implementing FSMA Rule 21 CFR Part 121

Join us for an in-depth session on the critical importance of developing and implementing a food defense plan to comply with the FSMA rule 21 CFR Part 121 (IA Rule)

Debby Newslow

Newslow & Associates, President

Jason Bashura

Pepsico, Senior Manager, Global Food Defense

Jon Woody

FDA, Director Office of Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation & Emergency Preparedness

8:25 AM - 9:10 AM

BREAKOUT 3: The Big Secret…You already have the software you need to manage food safety: A food company case study

A case study demonstrating how Italian Frozen Foods (IFF) USA is leveraging Microsoft Power Platform with SharePoint® to elevate its FSMS and effectively manage food safety compliance documentation, data, and certification requirements.

Roberto Bellavia

Kestrel Tellevate LLC, Partner

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

BREAKOUT 1: Why the increase in Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) 483s?

Jennifer Lott

SGS North America, Technical Development Director – Certification and Tailored Solutions

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

BREAKOUT 2: Food Recall Readiness and Crisis Management: Ensuring Safety and Maintaining Trust

This session is designed for food safety professionals who are committed to mastering the art of food recall readiness and crisis management.

Melanie Whitman

RQA, CCEP, CHA and CMQ/OE, Vice President, Crisis & Risk Management

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

BREAKOUT 3: The Internal Audit: Going Beyond the Certificate

A discussion on how internal audits can be more than just a way of being “GFSI certified,” with a focused effort providing actionable findings, near miss understanding, and recall/483 prevention – even with limited resources.

Cameron Prince

The Acheson Group, VP of Regulatory Affairs

Peter Johnston

Cavendish Farms, EVP Technical Regulatory Compliance and ESG

10:00 AM - 10:25 AM

Coffee & Networking

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

BREAKOUT 1: Do You Remember? The Results of a Knowledge Retention Survey of Retail Food Handlers

NEHA & NRA conducted a study of retail food handlers who took trainings within the past five years. Join us to learn about what we discovered through our survey and how you can make sure you have well-trained food handlers that keep food safe.

Patrick Guzzle

National Restaurant Association, VP of of Food Science and Industry

Dr. Sharon Unkart

Associate Director, Education, National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

BREAKOUT 2: Millions of Chemicals…But Which are Reasonably Likely to Occur?

This session will provide steps to developing your risk assessment from where to gather information to how to measure risk on chemicals of concern to preventive controls to minimize risk from chemicals.

Kevin Boyd

The Hershey Company, Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs

Tracie Sheehan

Merieux Nutrisciences, VP Technical Services

Justyce Jedlicka

Millipore Sigma, Food & Beverage Regulatory Liaison

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM

BREAKOUT 3: Navigating Standards Compliance and Accreditation in the Food Sector

This session will help attendees understand the role of Accreditation Bodies, Certification Bodies, Testing and Calibration Laboratories, Inspection Agencies, Personnel Certification Bodies and Inspection Agencies in meeting food safety objectives.

Dimitrios Katsieris

International Accreditation Service, Senior Global Manager Testing Laboratories and Food Safety Accreditations

11:15 AM - noon

BREAKOUT 1: Understanding Nonculturable Pathogens: Strategies for Preventing Enteric Viruses and Parasites in Food Production

Join us in this informative session to stay ahead of emerging threats in food safety and to ensure your practices are equipped to handle the complexities of nonculturable pathogens.

Alex DaSilva

FDA, Senior Parasitology Advisor

Lee-Ann Jaykus, Ph.D.

Professor, NC State

Jan Vinjé

Head, National Calicivirus Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

11:15 am - NOON

BREAKOUT 2: Navigating the Digital Transformation Landscape in the Food Industry: Challenges, Opportunities & Implictions

This presentation explores the multifaceted realm of digital transformation within food companies, highlighting the challenges they face, the opportunities they can seize, and the profound implications of this ongoing shift.

William Melnyczenko

Merieux NutriSciences, Global Business Development Director

Carrie Rigdon, Ph.D.

Association of Food and Drug Officials, Research Director

11:15 AM - noon

BREAKOUT 3: Using a Food Safety Culture “GPS” to Determine Where You Are and Where You Need to Go

This Panel will discuss metrics for assessment and improvement; coaching for strong leadership; and a roadmap of best practices for building, and maintaining, a sustainable food safety culture.

Tia Glave

Catalyst, Co-Founder

Benjamin Miller

The Acheson Group, EVP of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs 

Cameron Prince

The Acheson Group, VP of Regulatory Affairs

noon - 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

GENERAL SESSION: The Art and Science of Risk: Comprehensive Approaches to Analysis, Management, and Communication

Melanie Neumann

Neumann Advisory Services, LLC, Founder

Jill Hoffman

B&G Foods, Senior Director, Food Safety and Quality

Sharon Beals

Beaconpoint Labs, Regulatory and Food Safety Executive

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

GENERAL SESSION: Aligning the Industry Through a New Public-Private Partnership for Traceability

Earlier this year a public-private Governing Body was launched to provide an independent, sector-neutral forum to align industry in a shared vision for the enhanced food traceability required by the Traceability Rule (FSMA 204)

Eric Marshall

Leavitt Partners, Principal

Benjamin Miller

The Acheson Group, EVP of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs 

Cameron Prince

The Acheson Group, VP of Regulatory Affairs

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Coffee & Networking

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

GENERAL SESSION:

Re-Imagining Food Protection as a National Security Issue – DHS perspectives on the Resiliency of U.S. Food Supply Chains

This session presents a risk analysis by the Homeland Security Systems Engineering & Development Institute and MITRE, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, on the resiliency of U.S. food supply chains. Focusing on key commodities—rice, potatoes, chicken, dry beans, and apples—it explores disruptions from health emergencies, natural disasters, trade restrictions, climate change, and more, using data from government and research sources.

Mark Wittrock

Assistant Director – Health, Food, and Agriculture Resilience Office of Health Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Conor Schlick, Ph.D

MITRE, Principal Data Scientist

Adam Zoellner, M.P.P

MITRE, Group Leader: Mission Analysis and Operations Research

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Closing Keynote, Presented by Frank Yiannas

Frank Yiannas

Former Deputy Commissioner, Food Policy & Response, US FDA and Founder, Smarter FY Solutions

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

8:00 am - noon

Food Safety Working Group Meeting

  • Scroll to Top