R&D RADIO: How to Audit a Co-Packer: The Food QA's Hermi Galstian Explains

In this episode of R&D Radio, host and food scientist Adam Yee sits down with Hermi Galstian, founder of The Food QA, to break down the real difference between food safety and quality - and what founders should actually be looking for when they walk into a co-manufacturer's facility.Hermi's path into food safety wasn't a straight line. She started as a business major on track for law school, worked in HR recruiting, and only discovered food science after training for a marathon as a vegetarian sparked her interest in nutrition. She helped build her own graduate program in food science before spending years at Follow Your Heart, a vegan food company later acquired by Danone, and eventually launched The Food QA to help CPG brands navigate food safety, quality, and manufacturing partnerships.Adam and Hermi dig into the core difference between food safety and quality, how to properly vet a contract manufacturer, what third-party audits like SQF and BRC actually mean, and exactly what to look for (and ask about) during a facility tour - from pest control and employee hygiene to ingredient sourcing and pre-op equipment checks.Listen in as they discuss:The core difference between food safety and quality, with real product examplesHermi's winding path from pre-law to food science to 15 years in the fieldWhy referrals are the best first step when vetting a co-packerWhy founders should never assume a manufacturer takes full responsibility for their productWhat third-party audits like SQF, BRC, and GFSI actually tell youWhat to do if a manufacturer won't share audit reports or allow a tourWhat to look for during a facility walkthrough, from corners and hot spots to pest controlWhy employee hygiene, handwashing stations, and equipment nooks matter more than founders thinkHow ingredient sourcing and substitutions can quietly compromise safety or qualityHow certifications and product claims (non-GMO, kosher, seed oil free) shape what gets testedEpisode Links:Hermi Galstian LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hermineh The Food QA Company LinkedIn: www.linkedin.comcompany/thefoodqa/ The Food QA Company Website: www.thefoodqa.com The Food QA Company Instagram: @thefoodqa Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's LinkedInQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics