News

Stakeholder collaboration strengthening food safety

State officials are working collaboratively across all levels of food production with a focus on safety.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Jennifer Bonsky tells Brownfield, “We make a strong effort throughout the year in different capacities to connect inspectors, to connect industry, academia, and bring in whatever training and resources we really need.”

She says the task force has been meeting for about a decade to help regulators and the industry keep pace with food safety needs.

“Food producers are very innovative and they’re always coming up with new concepts, new styles, new new, so we always have to be ready to adapt and learn and adjust,” she says.

The collaboration is supported by an FDA grant to address food safety prevention, emergency response, and regulations. Bonsky says the partnerships will continue to be a priority for the state in the years ahead.

Brownfield interviewed Bonsky during the recent Michigan Food Protection Task Force Annual Meeting in East Lansing.