Food Safety Forum
Shaping Listeria Science into Policy
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - Virtual Event
The American Frozen Food Institute is leading the science of Listeria monocytogenes management in the food industry and working to align global food safety policies to achieve improved public health outcomes.
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AFFI, alongside food industry partners convened global research experts, industry professionals and food safety policy leaders to discuss emerging Listeria monocytogenes science and how the food industry can apply more practical and science-based approaches to address the risks associated with Listeria monocytogenes in food production. This forum introduced, expanded on and deliberated key concepts that are at the heart of Listeria science and policy. Click here for a topline summary.
Special Thanks to our Cohost Organizations
Schedule of Virtual Events
Tuesday, September 14
All sessions are virtual and in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
11:00 a.m. (EDT)
Welcome and Introductions from Alison Bodor, President and CEO, American Frozen Food Institute
11:05 a.m. (EDT)
Keynote: Food Safety Insights From Policy Leaders
Hear from FSIS and FDA policy leaders who have been at the forefront of food safety as we partner with them on the application of science-based and practical approaches to address improvements in public health.
Sandra Eskin, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, FSIS
Sandra Eskin brings a history of working with diverse stakeholders to improve public health outcomes. She will discuss her role and vision in implementing strategic initiatives at the intersection of science and policy.
Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, FDA
Frank Yiannas will present FDA’s ongoing journey on the new era of smarter food safety and discuss the industry’s active role in shaping a collaborative future.
11:40 a.m. (EDT)
5-minute break
11:45 a.m. (EDT)
The Latest Science on Listeria – Why is this important?
An introduction to AFFI’s Listeria monocytogenes Expert Panel and its manuscript, “Alternate Approaches to the Risk Management of Listeria monocytogenes in Low Risk Foods” (published in Food Control).
Learn about the Expert Panel’s recommendations for Listeria management and the potential for practical and sustained approaches to Listeria regulatory policy that improve public health. Click here to read more.
Dr. Donna Garren, Executive Vice President, Science & Policy, AFFI
11:55 a.m. (EDT)
Risk-Based Listeria Management: Science, Policy, and Tools
Listeria prevention and control has traversed the gamut of hazard-based to risk-based approaches. Industry food safety programs and global regulatory principles together seek to address the challenges of a ubiquitous environmental pathogen in our food system and the burden of foodborne listeriosis.
Hear current perspectives related to Listeria management strategies in different geographies and evolving approaches that merge available Listeria science, research, and regulations to understand the true public health risks associated with listeriosis. Join the conversation to evolve practical and science-based policies, drive best-in-class industry practices, and develop new technologies to help us improve our ability to reduce Listeria monocytogenes in the food supply.
Dr. Donna Garren, Executive Vice President, Science and Policy, AFFI (moderator)
Lisa Weddig, Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, NFI (moderator)
Dr. Craig Hedberg, Professor and Interim Division Head, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota and Co-Director, Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence
Dr. Jeff Farber, Adjunct Professor, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph and Former Director of Microbial Food Safety, Health Canada
Dr. Martin Wiedmann, Gellert Family Professor of Food Safety, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
12:55 p.m. (EDT)
Q&A Risk-Based Listeria Management: Science, Policy and Tools
1:05 p.m. (EDT)
5-minute Break
1:10 p.m. (EDT)
Putting Policy into Action – Moving Forward
Efforts to prevent and control Listeria monocytogenes in food production need to align with evolving regulatory policies and present unique food safety management opportunities through every step of the food supply chain.
Learn about practical sampling and testing strategies to support quantitative Listeria detection methods, interpretation of testing results and regulatory compliance. Specifically, experts will share their expertise and knowledge on the practical implications of these new approaches on day-to-day operations and how they may fit into the broader food safety system.
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Dr. Lory Reveil, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, AFFI (moderator)
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Nigel Thorgrimsson, Group Director, Regulatory Affairs, Ardo VLM
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Dr. Tim Freier, Vice President, Scientific Affairs and Microbiology, Mérieux NutriSciences
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Dr. Ben Chapman, Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
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Dr. Sanjay Gummalla, Senior Vice President, Scientific Affairs, AFFI
2:00 p.m. (EDT)
Q&A Putting Policy into Action – Moving Forward
2:10 p.m. (EDT)
5-minute Break
2:15 p.m. (EDT)
Industry Efforts – Current and Future State
Effective sanitation and robust environmental monitoring programs are the foundation of a successful food safety program to target Listeria monocytogenes. Continuous improvement of these practices across the industry are critical in ensuring safe food production.
Learn from diverse industry experts on how their companies educate and equip their workforce with the appropriate tools to address risks associated with Listeria monocytogenes in their production facilities and create a strong food safety culture.
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Dr. Robert Brackett, Former Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (moderator)
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John Allan, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, International Dairy Foods Association
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Kevin Browning, Director, Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance, J.R. Simplot Company
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Kathleen O’Donnell, Chief Scientist, Wegmans Food Markets
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Dr. Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer, Produce Marketing Association
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Scott Thacker, Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Trident Seafoods Corporation
3:05 p.m. (EDT)
Q&A Industry Efforts – Current and Future State
3:15 p.m. (EDT)
Closing Remarks and Networking Hour
Keep the dialogue going! This is your opportunity to discuss practical ways to prevent and address Listeria monocytogenes with your fellow attendees and speakers. You’ll have the chance to visit various breakout rooms for more intimate conversations with colleagues in your respective industry.
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Dr. Donna Garren, Executive Vice President, Science and Policy, AFFI
4:00 p.m. (EDT)
Adjourn
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