Smarter Food Safety

Introducing: Smarter Food Safety with Frank Yiannas

Smarter Food Safety

Show Notes

In this introduction to Smarter Food Safety, a new podcast hosted by former FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas, explains why food safety awareness is rising while foodborne illness rates remain stubbornly high, and why deeper, more honest conversations are needed now more than ever. Drawing on more than 35 years of leadership across industry and government, Frank shares the vision for the podcast, what listeners can expect from future episodes, and the kinds of tough questions the show will tackle — from policy and outbreaks to culture, technology, and innovation. This episode sets the stage for science-based, unscripted conversations with global food safety leaders aimed at strengthening systems, rebuilding trust, and helping create a safer, smarter food future.

More from Smarter Food Safety

Oct 21, 2026

Is the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) framework a regulatory loophole or an intentional legal pathway established by Congress? In this episode of the Smarter Food Safety Podcast, host Frank Yiannas welcomes Lyle D. Burgoon, PhD, ATS, President and CEO of Raptor Pharm & Tox, Ltd., to examine the science, history, and controversy surrounding GRAS. They explore FDA's proposed reforms, transparency, scientific oversight, regulatory costs, and potential unintended consequences for food innovation. With public trust and food safety at stake, this conversation challenges listeners to consider whether proposed changes will deliver meaningful public health benefits.

Oct 7, 2026

In this special episode of the Smarter Food Safety podcast, Frank Yiannas takes the stage at Ecolab’s annual Food Safety Symposium for a fireside chat with Lisa Robertson, Ecolab’s VP of Global Food Safety & Public Health. Together, they challenge the industry to rethink why outbreaks and recalls persist despite more audits, testing, training, and regulation. Frank and Lisa explore the difference between food safety compliance and effectiveness, the signals organizations may be missing, the role of culture and leadership, and how AI and emerging technologies can strengthen prevention. It’s a candid conversation about what must change to achieve safer food.

Sep 23, 2026

The future of food safety demands more than learning from the past, it requires anticipating what comes next. In this episode of the Smarter Food Safety podcast, Frank Yiannas speaks with Dr. Vittorio Fattori, Food Safety Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about the shift from hindsight to foresight. They explore how climate change, changing consumer behaviors, aging populations, novel foods, microbiome science, artificial intelligence, and evolving food systems may create new challenges and opportunities. Dr. Fattori shares practical guidance for horizon scanning, identifying meaningful signals, building networks, and making foresight a routine part of food safety.

Sep 9, 2026

This week on the Smarter Food Safety Podcast, Frank is joined by Dr. Joan Rose, Professor at Michigan State University and an internationally recognized water microbiologist, to explore the overlooked role of water in the Cyclospora story.

Aug 26, 2026

In this episode of the Smarter Food Safety podcast, Frank Yiannas sits down with Dr. Craig Hedberg to examine what the summer of 2026 can teach us about foodborne illness prevention. With major Cyclospora and Salmonella outbreaks occurring at the same time, they explore the challenges of surveillance, outbreak detection, traceback, traceability, and root-cause investigations.

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