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Virtual Office Hours

Join us for a Q&A with food safety experts from Cornell University

Virtual Office Hours

Speak directly to Cornell University food safety experts in dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, and processed foods and beverages.

Upcoming Sessions

Food Safety Virtual Office Hours

Navigating the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Preharvest Agricultural Water Assessment

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm (ET)

Join us for the March session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, where Dr. Betsy Bihn, Director of the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), Dept. of Food Science, Cornell University, will present: Navigating the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Preharvest Agricultural Water Assessment followed by a moderated Q&A session with a panel including fresh produce growers, a NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets representative, and members of the Produce Safety Alliance Team.

Food Safety Virtual Office Hours are hosted in collaboration with the New York Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, the Produce Safety Alliance, and the IFS@CU.

Panel of Experts:
  • Jessica Holloway, Hansen Farms, LLC, Stanley, NY
  • Brian Reeves, Reeves Farms, Baldwinsville, NY
  • Steve Schirmer, Produce Safety Field Administrator at NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
  • Donna Clements, Produce Safety Alliance Coordinator
  • Don Stoeckel, Produce Safety Alliance Special Projects Associate
More Details:

What Happens During a Foodborne Outbreak Investigation: a Look Behind the Scenes

Friday, April 10, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm (ET)

Join us for the April session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, where Dr. Martin Wiedmann will present: What happens during a foodborne outbreak investigation: a look behind the scenes. This session will provide an overview of the typical steps and sequences of a foodborne illness outbreak, including case studies on interactions between regulatory and public health agencies and implicated firms that can occur during these investigations. Panelists will help attendees to take these insights to help them reduce the risk being associated with outbreak investigations and to also help prepare for “the worst."

Food Safety Virtual Office Hours are hosted in collaboration with the New York Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, and the IFS@CU.

Panel of Experts:
  • Dr. Martin Wiedmann, Gellert Family Professor in Food Safety, Department of Food Science, Cornell University
  • Dr. Alejandro Mazzotta, Senior Vice President of Quality, Food Safety & Regulatory, Chobani
  • Melanie Neumann, J.D., M.S., Neumann Advisory Services and Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell University
More Details:

Previously Recorded Sessions

Formula Safety Update

Recording from December 17, 2025

Speakers: Kristin Schill, Nicole Martin, and Abby Snyder

During our December 17 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Panelists Kristin Schill, Nicole Martin, and Abby Snyder discussed (1) lessons learned from recent events, (2) scientific and operational considerations for managing microbial hazards in formula production, and (3) priority areas where new research and industry collaboration are advancing formula safety. The session explored the microbiological hazards most relevant to powdered and liquid infant formula, including emerging research on pathogen ecology, contamination routes, and control strategies. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

How AI is Being Used Within Food Safety

Recording from November 14, 2025

Speakers: Martin Wiedmann

During our November 14 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Professor Martin Wiedmann provided an overview of how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used within food safety. This session highlighted case studies demonstrating real-world applications of AI for risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and predictive analytics. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Essentials of Navigating Labeling Regulations

Recording from October 15, 2025

Speakers: Kathy Laviolette, Melanie Neumann

During our October 15 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Kathy Laviolette from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Melanie Neumann from Neumann Advisory Services, presented the essentials of navigating labeling regulations. The presentations focused on the fundamentals of dairy product labeling while exploring real-life examples including considerations for ingredient and allergen declarations, nutrition regulations, product claims, compliance, and enforcement. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Replacing Synthetic Food Colors with Natural Offerings

Recording from August 26, 2025

Speakers: Alireza Abbaspourrad, Jeannette O'Brien, Dave Gebhardt

During our August 26 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Alireza Abbaspourrad shared his presentation on the natural color options available and their characteristics. Jeannette O'Brien from GNT USA, and Dave Gebhardt from Sensient Technologies, offered industry perspectives and challenges. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Product Testing Methods and Schemes for Low Moisture Foods – Limitations and Opportunities

Recording from July 23, 2025

Speakers: Catharine Carlin, Matt Stasiewicz, Martin Wiedmann, Pam Wilger

During our July 23 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Professor Martin Wiedmann provided an overview of product testing as a food safety verification strategy. Pam Wilger discussed common pitfalls pertaining to matrix effects and method selection, and Associate Professor Matt Stasiewicz discussed how to design a sampling scheme. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Allergen Control Programs: Transitioning to Risk-Based Management Systems

Recording from July 15, 2025

Speakers: Joe Baumert, Ben Remington

During our July 15 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Professor Joe Baumert provided an overview of risk-based approaches to allergen management. Dr. Ben Remington then discussed recent updates to FDA and WHO guidance on allergen management that has taken a risk-based framework. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Process Validation in Low Moisture Foods - Reducing the Risk of Failure

Recording from July 1, 2025.

Speakers: Kaitlyn Casulli, Brian Farina, Wendy White

During our July 1 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Wendy White gave an overview of process validation in low moisture food systems. Brian Farina provided a description of validation studies in low moisture foods. Kaitlyn Casulli discussed her insights from validation studies and implementation of process controls based on the results of validation. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

Supply Chain Food Safety Through Disruption

Recording from June 24, 2025

Speakers: Aaron Adalja, Mark Nisbet, Hazel Tatosian, Martin Wiedmann

During our June 24 session of Food Safety Virtual Office Hours, Assistant Professor Aaron Adalja provided an overview of recent changes to food manufacturing supply chains. The webinar also included a discussion from Professor Martin Wiedmann on the impacts of supply chain disruptions on food safety. Click the link below to view a recording of the session on the IFS@CU YouTube channel.

View other previously recorded sessions on the IFS@CU's YouTube channel.