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Food Safety & Quality Chat with Food Scientist Esther Levy

4 minute read

Food safety and quality (FSQ) issues are more important and challenging than ever for organizations.

According to Food Processing’s 2024 Manufacturing Survey, food safety is the primary concern at processing plants, with 47% of respondents choosing it as their top issue. Additionally, in 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) saw a 700% increase in recall units compared to 2021. While this sounds alarming, food and beverage companies understand increased recalls are linked to stricter guidelines as regulatory bodies work to prioritize consumer safety.

Catena Solutions recently met with Esther Levy, Food Scientist, MBA for a conversation on food safety trends and challenges to know about.

Q: What FSQ trends should be a top priority for manufacturers right now?

I’d like to see a better focus on allergen management since undeclared allergens are the top reason for recalls that I’ve seen in my career. If food manufacturers aren’t improving their allergen management strategies, they need to start.

The second focus I’d recommend is implementing environmental monitoring programs for common pathogenic or indicator microorganisms. Companies should enhance their programs to prevent recalls caused by contamination from environmental microorganisms, such as listeria or salmonella. Both focuses emphasize prioritizing more prevention across the operation.

Q: What challenges do companies face in implementing FSQ solutions?

I think the biggest obstacle is insufficient resources and training. Organizations need to allocate enough budget for continuous education for FSQ departments. A company may have comprehensive, well-documented procedures, but if they don’t have the right training in place, they can’t ensure employees are following them. That leads me back to management and creating a culture that makes FSQ important, which can be difficult.

In a manufacturing environment, it can be especially hard to implement solutions because FSQ departments are the ones responsible for putting a product on hold or slowing down production to check if something is compliant. That can create a clash between production and quality, so it often comes down to creating that FSQ culture and importance at the top.

“I think the biggest obstacle is insufficient resources and training. Organizations need to allocate enough budget for continuous education for FSQ departments. A company may have comprehensive, well-documented procedures, but if they don’t have the right training in place, they can’t ensure employees are following them.”

Esther Levy, Food Scientist

Q: When FSQ issues do arise and companies must navigate a recall, what advice do you have?

First, the company needs to identify what happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Assemble a multi-disciplinary team to truly get to the root cause of the issue and implement preventive/corrective actions. The internal team often can’t reach that conclusion alone so companies will need to leverage external partners such as vendors or contractors to ensure they identify and address where in the process something went wrong.

The second aspect is the PR component and communication to minimize damage to the brand and company. This is almost as important as getting to the root of the problem. Unavoidable problems can happen to anyone, no matter how robust of a system an organization has. Consumers may not realize this, so it’s up to the organization to ensure they’re releasing the right information on the PR front.

Read: Trends & Insights Report: Optimizing Food & Beverage Manufacturing Facilities

Q: What role does technology play in FSQ, and how do you see its importance in the future?

Technology plays a crucial role and can enhance important requirements of a robust FSQ plan. For example, technology can enhance the accuracy and speed of traceability, a key requirement for the new FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) set to enter compliance in January 2026.

Analytical tools and data analysis also prove beneficial in identifying trends and predicting potential risks, ultimately optimizing processes and further mitigating risks. Recently, I’ve also seen software that analyzes and reviews content on websites or social media for potential non-compliances, which is a valuable tool for companies looking to make marketing claims while ensuring they can remain compliant. It will also be interesting to see how artificial intelligence technologies can further enable real-time data analysis and predictions for enhanced FSQ systems.

Q: What makes you excited to work in food quality and safety right now?

In recent years, I’ve seen the trend of more companies focusing on improving their FSQ systems to ensure they meet public health goals. I’m thrilled to see this heightened emphasis in the industry and to support companies in achieving their objectives of providing safe food to consumers. As an industry professional, it’s truly rewarding to witness implemented plans in action and a purpose-driven food safety culture within organizations.

Need help with your company’s FSQ initiatives?

Catena Solutions supports food and beverage organizations, leveraging our expertise to drive growth, optimize operations, and navigate industry challenges. Our network of industry experienced consultants can help your organization with FSQ challenges spanning workforce, regulatory, and more. Get in touch here.

About Esther Levy: With a 13-year career in the food manufacturing and CPG industries, Esther’s experience spans compliance, FSQ, R&D, and supply chain optimization. She now consults in the areas of product development, operations, quality assurance, third-party certifications, food safety, labeling and more.