The Key to Strong Food Safety Culture

Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork

In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Lydia Adams welcomes Michael Ciepiela, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at The Spice Lab. Together, they:

• Explore Michael's journey into food safety, from his biology degree to climbing the corporate ladder through roles at major companies like Taylor Farms and Kraft Heinz
• Explore the fundamentals of building a strong food safety culture, highlighting the importance of being present on the shop floor and actively engaging with employees.
• Discuss effective training strategies, highlighting the value of site-specific examples and practical, hands-on approaches that keep employees engaged and motivated
• Examine how Lean Six Sigma principles, particularly value stream mapping and spaghetti diagrams, help optimize food safety processes and identify potential risks
• Consider the role of technology in modern food safety management, including the transition from paper-based systems to real-time digital solutions like QAD red zone
• Highlight the importance of mentorship and continuous learning in the industry, with Michael sharing his experience with certifications and professional development
• Explore the future of food safety, including the potential and current limitations of AI in food manufacturing processes, while emphasizing the continued need for human expertise and experience

💡 Our free webinar: A Fresh Take on Traceability is happening March 27th, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know about traceability - link to sign up is here: https://www.trustwell.com/resources/a-fresh-take-on-traceability/?utm_campaign=8645531-2025.03.27-Fresh-Take-On-Traceability-Webinar&utm_source=Podcast

Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• The Role of Leadership in Food Safety with Jill Stuber and Tia Glave of Catalyst
• Better Traceability for a More Sustainable Future: A Conversation with Ryan Richard of GS1 US
• A New Generation of Consumers: How the Food Industry is Changing with Nirdesh Dalal