In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by Dr. Barbara Kowalcyk, an accomplished food safety researcher, educator, and advocate. She discusses her work to advance equitable food systems that promote public health and prevent foodborne illness, present-day food safety challenges and technological advancements, and the proposed reorganization of FDA's Human Foods Program.

A transdisciplinary team of researchers, educators, and extension experts led by Michigan State University (MSU) has received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create safer, more stable food systems.

The West appears to exhibit heightened awareness about food safety, with many countries claiming that they maintain high standards during the production, distribution, storage, and sale of food, and that they have mandatory legal requirements to protect people. However, there is less understanding of what makes human diets sustainable in a way that ensures global food security and sustainability.

On November 10, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the National Security Memorandum-16 (NSM-16), which aims to strengthen the security and resilience of the U.S. food supply and agricultural systems. NSM-16 focuses on threats such as climate change, supply chain disruption, cyberattacks, worker safety and workplace development, and other topics.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its internal review of the agency’s response to the U.S. infant formula supply crisis, which details key findings and recommendations that will allow the agency to respond more quickly during food safety emergencies.

The harmonization of food legislation helps ensure the availability of safe and quality food using widely accepted standards that facilitate the movement of food between countries without arbitrary legal constraints or unjustifiably inequities.

Singapore will be introducing a bill on food safety and security later this year to manage new and emerging risks.