Sanjay Gummalla, Ph.D., is Senior Vice President at the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). A food microbiologist by training with experience in product development, his current role is centered around bridging the gap between science and industry practice. At AFFI, he works closely with expert researchers and food industry professionals to develop scientific tools and resources to support food safety programs and broader development of the frozen food industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Utah State University.
Non-cultivable foodborne pathogens, such as enteric viruses and protozoan parasites like Cyclospora, present unique challenges in our food system due to significant limitations in sampling and detection. This article covers the methodological drawbacks of current methods related to interpretation of results and public health risk, while offering alternative food safety management principles to address the prevalence of these pathogens in food.
