Webinar Archive

Archived Webinars

• Life in the Dry: Food Safety and Risk Management Options Associated with Low Moisture Foods Apr 22, 2026

  The reduction in water activity through drying or solute addition represents one of the oldest preservation methods known. Low Moisture Foods (LMF) represents a broad sector and encompasses cereals & grains, spices, tea, seeds, nuts, fruit & vegetables, preserves, meat and dairy, amongst others. The commonality between LMF is a low water activity (<0.88) to prevent microbial growth. However, LMF have been implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks with Salmonella contaminated pistachios being a recent example. The following presentation will provide an overview of food safety of LMF along with examples of outbreaks and pathogens of concern. The response of pathogens to enable persistence in the dry state will be outlined along with potential risk management options. With regards the latter, a focus will be placed on gas phase hydroxyl-radical process treatments that facilitate pathogen inactivation without contributing moisture to the product.

  Learning Objectives:

  Be aware of classification of low moisture foods and examples of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to LMF

  Understand how pathogens such as Salmonella adapt to low moisture environments

  Identify the significance and challenges in studying dry biofilms

  Be aware of risk management options to control human pathogens in low moisture foods and environments

  Presenters

  • Keith Warriner, Speaker University of Guelph
  • Jennifer C. Acuff, Speaker University of Arkansas
  • Siyun Wang, Moderator University of British Columbia
• Global and Integrated Approaches to Animal Health and Food Safety Mar 31, 2026

  Organized by the Animal and Pet Food Safety PDG

  This symposium explores the challenges of antimicrobial resistance and biosecurity in food animal production, integrating regulatory, academic, and industry perspectives. An FDA representative will highlight national surveillance and monitoring efforts, emphasizing emerging trends, priorities, and policy implications. Academic experts will examine how biosecurity strategies influence pathogen persistence across diverse production systems. An industry speaker will share practical lessons and challenges in applying food safety measures under evolving expectations. Recent issues—including H5N1 impacts on swine, screw worm outbreaks in beef cattle, and avian influenza in poultry—underscore how animal health events disrupt production and shape consumer perception of food safety. While examples focus on U.S. production, strategies and insights are broadly applicable to small- and large-scale operations worldwide. Students, early-career professionals, and local industry members will gain actionable takeaways for improving food safety practices. The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, enabling participants to discuss implementation challenges and science-based solutions with experts from multiple sectors.

  Learning Outcome / Audience Takeaways: Participants will learn to integrate regulatory, scientific, and industry approaches to reduce antimicrobial resistance, apply biosecurity strategies effectively across production systems, and identify practical solutions for overcoming implementation challenges in diverse operational contexts.

  Presenters

  • Heather Tate, Speaker FDA
  • Valentina Trinetta, Speaker KSU
  • Fabio Sossai Possebon, Speaker São Paulo State University (UNESP - Botucatu, Brazil)
  • Ansen Pond, Speaker Pilgrim
  • Michelle Sayles, Moderator Diamond Pet Foods
• Culture in Action: Leadership Stories That Strengthen Food Safety - Hosted by the Food Safety Culture PDG and the Developing Food Safety Professional PDG Mar 19, 2026

  This webinar is hosted by the Food Safety Culture PDG and the Developing Food Safety Professional PDG

  Food safety culture is shaped in everyday leadership moments — not just policies and audits.

  In this interactive webinar hosted by the IAFP Food Safety Culture PDG, three leaders will share brief, candid stories about real experiences that tested or strengthened food safety culture in their organizations.

  The remainder of the session will be dedicated to live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to explore challenges, ask questions, and gain practical insights they can apply immediately.

  Presenters

  • Damarys Del Castillo, Speaker DVP Global Food Safety and Quality, Sigma
  • Jill Stuber, Speaker Vice President, Catalyst Food Leaders & Chair, Developing Food Safety Professionals PDG
  • Dom Mitial, Speaker Vice President of Food Safety, Quality, & Regulatory Affairs, Goldbergs Group