Ep. 194. Alex Truelove: Impending Compliance Changes for Compostable Food Packaging
Release Date: 05/27/2025
Food Safety Matters
Jay Berglind is a nationally respected food safety expert and the principal of Aegis Foods, a consultancy focused on strengthening food safety systems across the supply chain. Aegis Foods is also the maker of Fearless Eggs, the only pasteurized in-shell and poached eggs that are safe to eat raw. With more than 25 years of experience in food manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, Jay is a trusted voice on preventing foodborne illness, understanding federal regulations, and responding to product recalls. Jay has served in leadership roles overseeing food safety and...
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Tom Black is the First Assistant Secretary of the Exports and Veterinary Services Division at the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. In this role, he is responsible for regulating and facilitating Australia's exports of animal commodities and certified organic products, while also providing the overarching technical food safety framework for both food exports and imports. Tom leads the Australian Government's bilateral and multilateral technical market access negotiations for these commodities and represents Australia in international...
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Kris Sollid, R.D., is the Senior Director for Research and Consumer Insights at the International Food Information Council (IFIC). A registered dietitian with a passion for improving nutrition science communications, his role at IFIC includes leading consumer research projects, educational resource development, social and traditional media engagement, and written contributions to various consumer, trade, and peer-reviewed publications. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Kris [1:20] about: The methodology and key metrics of IFIC’s 20th annual "Food and Health Survey,"...
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John Spink, Ph.D. is the Director and Lead Instructor for the Food Fraud Prevention Academy, as well as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the College of Business at Michigan State University (MSU). His food fraud prevention research focuses on policy and strategy to understand and prevent supply chain disruptions and to implement procurement best practices. He is widely published in leading academic journals and has helped lead national and global regulatory and standards activity. More recently, his teaching and research has expanded to supply...
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David T. Dyjack, Dr.P.H., CIH has served as Executive Director and CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) since May 2015. Dr. Dyjack's 30-year career includes expertise in environmental health, emergency preparedness and response, public health informatics, infectious disease, workforce development, governmental infrastructure, maternal and child health, health equity, and chronic disease. A board-certified industrial hygienist, Dr. Dyjack also has advanced degrees in public health with a doctorate from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from the University...
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Kathy Knutson, Ph.D., PCQI, is educated in bacteriology, food science, and education. She speaks, writes, and trains on compliance for the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). She has trained over 500 Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs). Dr. Knutson works with managers to write thorough hazard analyses, food safety plans, recall plans, environmental monitoring programs, and allergen programs. In 2020, she published a book, Food Safety Lessons for Cannabis-Infused Edibles. Dr. Knutson travels to manufacturers for swabbing to locate a...
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In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Dutcher [38:31] about: The internal structure of the Food Products Inspectorate (FPI) within FDA’s OII OII’s role and responsibilities for inspecting human foods at FDA, including examples of frontline activities How the FPI is equipped to facilitate outbreak investigations and recalls Priority work plans assigned to FPI in 2025, and how this work will be accomplished In light of reduced funding for state inspectoral partners, how FPI can work with state public health agencies to ensure that priority inspections are carried out How...
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In this special 200th episode of Food Safety Matters, our hosts look back at the podcast’s eight-year history, sharing their stories and experiences, as well as reviewing some of the show’s most memorable episodes and guests. Resources Sponsored by:
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Vic Fox is a Poultry Account Manager at Elanco. Prior to his time at Elanco, Fox worked as a Breeder Hatchery Manager, Live Production Manager, and Complex Manager, granting him a holistic view into live production, with a special focus on food safety. Vic earned his bachelor's degree in poultry science from North Carolina State University, and he is currently based in Virginia. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Vic [1:40] about: The importance of a holistic approach to Salmonella in modern poultry operations Some of the most critical control points for Salmonella in...
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George G. Misko, Esq. is a Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP in Washington D.C. He counsels domestic and foreign clients on food and drug matters and advises clients on regulatory requirements relating to chemical substances specific to food contact, plastics, and food products in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, including Canada, the EU, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. George also has experience in counseling on environmental concerns, including pesticide regulation, right-to-know laws, and toxic substance control regulations. He represents trade associations and is legal...
info_outlineAlex Truelove has served as Legislation and Advocacy Manager at BPI (Biodegradable Plastics Institute) since 2022. He previously directed U.S. PIRG's (Public Interest Research Group's) zero-waste program. He remains passionate about waste reduction, public policy, and working with others to incrementally solve messy environmental problems.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Alex [30:28] about:
- The work of the Biodegradable Plastics Institute (BPI)
- California law AB 1201, which goes into effect in January 2026 and makes significant changes to compliance for compostable products, including food packaging, in the state
- The law's anticipated effects on food packaging and food safety for companies operating in California
- The roles that labeling and certification play in the safety and sustainability of California food packaging
- How companies will need to shift how they come to market and talk about the sustainability of their packaging
- How food companies who sell in California and across other U.S. markets may respond to the changes required by the California law
- Whether AB 1201 will have a "ripple effect" on the rest of the U.S.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we also speak with Bob Ferguson [19:31] about:
- His latest Food Safety Insights Column, “Hygienic Design: How are Processors Coping with This Essential Element of Food Safety?”
News
FDA Announces 'Proactive' Post-Market Chemical Review Program to Keep Food Supply Safe [4:33]
FDA Approves Three Food Colors from Natural Sources [6:45]
More Than 15,000 USDA Employees Take Trump Administration's Resignation Offer [12:35]
Unions Representing USDA Staff Request Congressional Oversight of Budget, Staffing Cuts [13:20]
Resources
Food Safety Summit Live Stream Sessions | On Demand
Hygienic Design: How are Processors Coping with This Essential Element of Food Safety?
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