Protecting America’s Plate: USDA’s Food Safety Priorities (with Dr. Mindy Brashears)

In this episode of Smarter Food Safety, I sit down with Dr. Mindy Brashears, the U.S. Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for an early look at the priorities shaping federal food safety policy.Drawing on her background as a scientist, academic, and former USDA leader, Dr. Brashears discusses the agency’s focus on reducing foodborne illness while strengthening collaboration across government, industry, and academia.The conversation explores several critical issues facing the food system today, including strategies to reduce salmonella in poultry, the persistent challenge of listeria in ready-to-eat foods, and how data, science, and new technologies can help regulators and industry take a more preventive approach to food safety.Dr. Brashears also shares insights on workforce capacity, regulatory decision-making, and the importance of industry taking proactive responsibility for producing safe food.If you want to understand where U.S. food safety policy may be headed and what it means for producers, regulators, and consumers, this conversation offers an inside look at the challenges and opportunities ahead.The Smarter Food Safety Podcast is sponsored by Ecolab, a trusted partner throughout my career. They’re dedicated to protecting what’s vital, by advancing food safety, ensuring clean and safe environments, and enhancing water quality around the world.