In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, Lydia Adams speaks with Sharon Beals, a food safety and regulatory executive at Beacon Point Labs, about the evolving landscape of food safety practices. Drawing from her four decades of experience, Sharon discusses how food safety approaches have transformed through enhanced detection methods, improved controls, and a deeper understanding of pathogen behavior.

Sharon emphasizes that food safety challenges aren't limited to specific sectors but affect the entire food industry. She shares practical insights on listeria prevention, stressing the importance of basic practices like proper sanitation and equipment maintenance. The conversation explores how companies can balance operational efficiency with food safety compliance through effective people management and clear communication of requirements.

Throughout the episode, Sharon highlights the critical role of people in food safety success, advocating for a company-wide culture of doing the right thing. She discusses the importance of staying informed about regulatory changes through trade associations and cross-functional team collaboration. The conversation concludes with Sharon's perspectives on diversity in food industry leadership and her work mentoring the next generation of food safety professionals.

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