Cybersecurity’s Role in Modern Food Defense with Radojka Barycki

In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, Kristin Demoranville is joined by Radojka Barycki, Director of Training and Consulting at Safe Food Alliance and a food safety expert with nearly 25 years of experience.  Together, they explore how cybersecurity and food safety are becoming inseparable in today’s technology-driven world.  Radojka shares her perspectives on emerging challenges like AI and traceability, the role of proactive strategies in protecting global food systems, and why trust is the foundation of food safety.  With stories from her personal journey and actionable insights for industry professionals, this episode sheds light on how innovation can both secure and transform the food industry.  A must-listen for those passionate about food safety, technology, and consumer protection!

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Episode Key Highlights:

(0:02:09) - Food Defense and Cybersecurity Collaboration (0:03:20) - Awareness of Cybersecurity Threats in Food (0:05:55) - Personal Risk Assessments and Security Mindsets (0:11:26) - Integrating Cybersecurity in Food Safety Audits (0:13:37) - Vulnerabilities in Automated Food Processes (0:16:17) - Challenges in Traceability and AI Adoption (0:19:00) - Reactive Policies vs. Proactive Prevention in Food Safety (0:22:28) - Impacts of Food Safety Incidents on Consumer Trust (0:27:56) - Resources for Food Defense and Risk Assessment

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Show Notes:

Traceability rule: 

https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/news/navigating-the-new-fda-food-traceability-rule-meeting-requirements-and-enhancing-safety/

Food Adulteration: 

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-mitigation-strategies-protect-food-against-intentional-adulteration

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): 

https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma

Food Defense: 

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-defense

AI for Traceability: 

https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9387-development-and-application-of-ai-for-food-processing-and-safety-regulations#:~:text=Current%20AI%20technologies%20can%20be,enhance%20traceability%20for%20food%20safety.&text=This%20could%20facilitate%20a%20quicker,of%20food%20contamination%20or%20recall.

Carrot Juice Cotulism Incident 2006:

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/botulism/fourth-botulism-case-linked-carrot-juice

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) & the Seven Principles:

https://food.unl.edu/article/haccp-seven-principles

Peanut Corporation of America and FSMA:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1109388

Boars Head Incident 2024:

https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/boars-head-listeria-outbreak-deemed-over-19-states-61-sick-60-hospitalized-with-10-dead/

McDonald’s Onion E. coli Incident 2024:

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html#:~:text=Recalled%20food,onions%20before%20they%20got%20sick.

Spinach E. coli Outbreak 2006:

https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/ecoli/2006/spinach-10-2006.html

Tesla products mentioned:  Cybercab, Robovan, Bot

https://www.tesla.com/we-robot

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