Fifteen years after the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, has it delivered on its promise to shift the U.S. food safety system from reaction to prevention?

In this in depth conversation, I sat down with Mike Taylor, former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and widely regarded as one of the architects of FSMA. We revisit the outbreaks and systemic failures that led to the law’s passage, reflect on what FSMA has accomplished, and candidly examine where progress has stalled.

We’ll discuss prevention, traceability, imports, funding challenges, FDA structure, and the persistent reality that foodborne illness rates remain stubbornly high. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of produce safety, agricultural water standards, public private collaboration, and what true leadership will require to bend the curve of foodborne illness.

This is not a retrospective victory lap. It is an honest assessment of what worked, what did not, and what must happen next.

The Smarter Food Safety Podcast is sponsored by Ecolab, a trusted partner throughout my career. They’re dedicated to protecting what’s vital, by advancing food safety, ensuring clean and safe environments, and enhancing water quality around the world.