Food Safety Matters – Ep. 200: A Celebration of Food Safety Matters Podcast History

Date: August 26, 2025
Podcast: Food Safety Matters
Host: Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team (Stacey Acheson, Adrienne Bloom, Bob Ferguson)

Overview

This milestone 200th episode celebrates eight years of Food Safety Matters—honoring its journey, impact, and community. The hosts reflect on how the podcast was born, share behind-the-scenes stories, highlight pivotal interviews, and revisit influential food safety events that shaped both the industry and the podcast itself. This special episode is a candid, warm, and often humorous look back at the people and the spirit that made Food Safety Matters a trusted hub for professionals.

1. How It All Began

[00:00-11:00]

• Stacey Acheson recounts the persistent efforts of producer Adam Haas to launch the podcast, which eventually took flight after she herself engaged as a podcast listener.
  • Quote: “There was just nothing like the experience… it was like being in the room. And it was a very personal experience having these folks right in your ear.” (04:45, A)
• Detailed the technical and creative groundwork: distribution platforms, logo, music selection, microphone challenges, and memorable audio signatures (notably, the keyboard-typing sound to “get back to work”).
  • Easter Egg: The ending keyboard sound is a nod to classic “Easter eggs” in music and symbolizes the editorial team returning to the work of safeguarding food safety.
• Bob Ferguson shares his frequent technical mishaps and Adam Haas’ legendary patience, further grounding the show’s origins in relatable, real-world moments.
  • Quote: “If it wasn’t for Adam, I never would have had any chance to do any of this because I couldn’t get anything to work. So kudos to Adam.” (07:54, B)

2. The Growth & Global Impact

[11:01-15:48]

• Food Safety Matters quickly found an audience, achieving 500 downloads on its first episode and has since grown to 350,000+ downloads in 195 countries—reaching the top 10% of all podcasts globally (per Buzzsprout).
  • Quote: “Most podcasts never make it this far. Just over 2% reach 200 episodes. In a field as complex and essential as food safety, reaching this milestone means something deeper.” (01:53, A)
• Reflections on building the Food Safety Magazine brand, connecting with the global audience, and the unique B2B context.

3. Behind the Mic: Anecdotes & Outtakes

[13:11-19:15]

• The team reminisce about recording challenges (hotel rooms, noisy trade shows, technical gaffes) and the camaraderie built through it all.
• Classic outtake: Barbara Van Renterhem’s anxiety over a lawnmower, upstaged by a helicopter circling Stacey's house—both just normal podcast “noises.”
• Bob Ferguson shares his evolution from guest to co-host and the invaluable learning via the “watch one, do one, teach one” method, noting:
  • Quote: “It’s one thing to read it and look at it and go, okay, I saw that research… but it’s another thing to come and talk about it and give the details.” (15:55, B)

4. Signature & Notable Episodes

[19:15-67:51]

Hosted primarily by Adrienne Bloom, this section highlights key episodes and historic moments.

a. Launch & Early Guests

• Ep. 1: Dave Theno – “No One Cooks Their Salad”
  A legendary pioneer in food safety recalls the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak and transforming the industry.

  • Tragically, Theno passed away shortly after this interview—making it a cherished legacy for the community and his family.
  • Quote: “If you want to find out what was in Dave’s briefcase, make sure to have a listen to the first ever episode.” (21:11, C)

• Ep. 2: Larry Keener
  Early advisor and contributor discussing regulatory innovation, hygienic facility design, and the role of science in food safety.

• Ep. 3: Dr. Lone Jespersen – “Culture Comes First”
  The inaugural conversation on food safety culture; Jespersen becomes a recurring expert.

b. Pivotal Interviews

• Ep. 10 & 129: Michael Taylor
  Former FDA/USDA regulator shares the legislative and cultural shifts post–Jack in the Box outbreak—critical listening to understand modern food safety.
  • Quote: “I highly recommend both of these interviews with Mike as essential listening for any food safety professional.” (30:52, C)
• Ep. 18: Deirdre Schloninger (STOP Foodborne Illness)
• Ep. 25 & 128: Bill Marler
  The nation’s foremost foodborne illness lawyer on reforms and his role in landmark cases.

c. Turning Tragedy into Transformation

• Ep. 33: Michael McCain & Randy Huffman (Maple Leaf Foods)
  • A rare, candid discussion ten years after the tragic 2008 listeria outbreak. Maple Leaf’s transparent reckoning and cultural overhaul is offered as a template for C-suite engagement.
  • Quote: “This is a way to make that phone call with your CEO… it will inform them greatly on the impact that this had on the company.” (36:00, A)

d. Science & Outbreak Detection

• Ep. 35 & 127: Dr. John Butts (Seek and Destroy Process for Listeria)
• Ep. 55: Dr. Laura Gieraltowski (CDC) – Outbreak Investigation
  A prescient look at whole genome sequencing, shopper card tracing, and the human side of outbreak detective work.
  • Quote: “PFGE was very useful… but whole genome sequencing was much more… like satellite radio. It’s nice and clear, it never drops off.” (41:47, B)
• Ep. 61: Dr. Marta Huges (EFSA) – International Food Safety Perspectives

e. Food Safety Culture & Collaboration

• Ep. 66, 32, 46, 143: Frank Yiannas
  Architect of FDA’s “New Era of Smarter Food Safety” and thought leader on culture and traceability.
  • Quote: “Frank is widely regarded as the guy who figuratively and literally wrote the book on food safety culture.” (48:52, C)
• Ep. 133: Vanessa Kaufman, Sherry Bryce, Megan Kendora
  Industry and advocacy leaders on cross-company food safety culture.

f. COVID-19 and the Supply Chain

• Ep. 69 & Bonus
  The earliest, most impactful discussions about COVID-19’s disruption of supply chains and the new “just in case” stocking paradigm.

g. Major Industry & Regulatory Moments

• Eps. 134, 146: Sandra Eskin (USDA FSIS) – Salmonella Framework
• Ep. 139: Dr. Susan Mayne (FDA CFSAN) – Post–Infant Formula Crisis, Whole Genome Sequencing
• Ep. 162: Brian Sylvester – The California Food Safety Act
  • Quote: “Products sold nationwide must conform to state-specific regulations, and if they don’t, companies will face harsh legal consequences.” (61:43, C)
• Ep. 167 (April 2024): Jim Jones – FDA's First Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
  • The importance of unified leadership and engagement, and the podcast's role as a forum for regulators’ first industry-facing appearances.

h. Fresh Produce, Corporate Cultures, Pathogens, and Innovations

• Ep. 111: Dr. Jennifer McEntire (IFPA) – Produce Safety Leader
  • Adrienne’s first interview, illustrating the breadth and depth of produce safety.
• Ep. 179: Dr. Takeshi Nakamura (Fresh Del Monte) – Produce Traceability
• Ep. 165: Dr. Jason Richardson (Coca-Cola) – Corporate Culture Revamp
• Ep. 155: Dr. Barbara Masters (Tyson) – FS Regulatory Policy
• Ep. 140: Dr. Martin Wiedmann (Cornell) – Pathogen Interventions
• Ep. 9: Bill Sperber – HACCP and Microbiology Legacy

5. Listener Engagement & Legacy

[70:36–end]

• The hosts express deep gratitude to every guest—“legendary food safety professionals”—and to the global audience.
  • Quote: “Going through these episodes… it sounds like the podcast is [a] who's who in food safety. I think they come here for a reason. They respect the magazine, they respect what you’ve done.” (68:54, B)
• Food Safety Matters remains a living record and beacon for both newcomers and veterans in food safety, with continuing impact on education, guidance, and the broader professional culture.
• Listeners are always invited to send feedback, memories, and topic requests to podcast@food-safety.com.

6. Notable Quotes & Humorous Moments

• “Stay tuned. That’s not really happening.” (01:51, B) – On the tongue-in-cheek promise to recap all 200 episodes in 10 minutes
• “It’s kind of hard to imagine that it wasn’t always thus.” (26:55, A) – Reflecting on Bob’s transition to co-host
• “We could go on. I mean, there’s so many folks in here… probably future recipients [of the Distinguished Service Award].” (68:52, A)
• “Whenever I tell people we’re in the top 10% of all podcasts, they’re like ‘Your podcast is on… what?’ I say, food safety. They’re like, ‘okay…’” (72:35, C)
• Playful trivia segment ideas: “What’s in Dave Theno’s briefcase?” and “Episode 111 was Adrienne’s first interview.”

7. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-04:10 — Introduction, milestone context, and podcast mission
• 04:11-11:27 — Origin story, Adam Haas’s role, audio Easter eggs
• 11:28-15:47 — Global growth, download stats, brand impact
• 15:48-19:15 — Anecdotes, outtakes, panel’s evolution
• 19:15-67:51 — Deep dive: Pivotal episodes, historic guests, major industry events
• 67:52-70:35 — Acknowledgement of guest and episode breadth, shout-outs to foundational figures
• 70:36–end — Listener appreciation, the podcast’s ongoing legacy, closing thanks and housekeeping

8. The Heart of the Show

Food Safety Matters stands as a joyful, rigorous, and collaborative celebration of the people driving food safety forward. This 200th episode weaves together heartfelt gratitude, storytelling, and professional wisdom with a strong call to keep learning and connecting over the next 200 episodes—and beyond.

Connect with the show:
Email: podcast@food-safety.com
Social: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram

Complete episode guide and show notes:
Visit foodsafetymagazine.com/podcast

“Here’s to the next 200!” (71:43, A)