Jeff Farber is the director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety and head of the University of Guelph's Food Safety and Quality Assurance M.Sc. program. 

Farber's most well-known work is a 1991 review paper on Listeria monocytogenes. He's also authored an estimated 50 other papers on Listeria research and risk assessment.

Farber worked at Health Canada for a number of years as a research scientist, research division chief, associate director, and director of microbial food safety. His research interests at Health Canada centered around mycotoxins, Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter sakazakii. He also played a large role in developing many of the food safety policies that are currently in place in Health Canada.

Jeff is the former President of the International Association of Food Protection. He also serves on the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods, the New York Academy of Sciences Committee on Food Safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's External Advisory Committee for the Microbial Safety of Foods, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Advisory Board for Risk-based Inspections.

He earned his Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from McGill University. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Jeff [24:08] about:

• How his studies evolved from mycotoxin research to Listeria
• Educating consumers—particularly high-risk populations—about unsafe eating practices
• All of the factors—including family dynamics and consumer trends—that contribute to today's frequent Listeria outbreaks, and foodborne illness outbreaks in general
• Figuring out how to use big data to improve risk assessments
• Why fresh produce and other food groups experience more food safety issues now compared to previous years
• How free trade agreements affect food safety in Canada
• Global warming and its emergence as a serious danger to food safety
• Animals and food products that have been increasingly associated with Hepatitis E
• The online grocery sector—including a new food delivery innovation introduced by Amazon—and how gaps in how its regulated could mean more food safety risks
• The process of producing lab-grown meat, and the need for proper hazard analysis in this new arena
• Challenging University of Guelph students to brainstorm solutions to emerging food safety issues

Related Content 
Listeria monocytogenes, A Foodborne Pathogen (1991)

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Phil Kafarakis is the President and CEO of IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, formerly known as the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. He is responsible for overseeing IFMA's day-to-day operations and directing the activities of the association in support of its policies, goals, and objectives. Phil is a highly accomplished senior executive with broad experience leading major food industry companies and associations. He began his industry career in the manufacturing sector, successfully leading and managing businesses at Kraft, Jones Dairy Farm, Cargill, and McCormick & Co., where he also served on IFMA's Board of Directors. He also previously served as President of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) and as the Chief Innovation and Member Advancement Officer at the National Restaurant Association (NRA).

Mark Carter is the Senior Software Product Manager at Hygiena. He assumed the presidency of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) at the conclusion of the IAFP Annual Meeting in July 2024.

Mr. Carter has extensive international business and technical experience. He most recently served as COO of Matrix Sciences, as well as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, where he was responsible for Matrix Sciences Mergers and Acquisitions activity. He previously held positions as CEO of QC Laboratories and Corporate Vice President of Research and Development with the Silliker Group Corporation (now Mérieux NutriSciences). He has served within the food industry as Section Manager for Microbiology and Food Safety at Kraft Foods and Corporate Laboratory Group Leader at McKee Foods Corporation.

Jason Evans, Ph.D. is the Dean of the College of Food Innovation and Technology (CFIT) at Johnson & Wales University, which offers baccalaureate and graduate programming in Culinary Arts, Culinary Science, Culinary Nutrition, Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Food Systems.

Kimberly Baker, Ph.D. serves as the Food Systems and Safety Program Team Director and an Associate Extension Specialist with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. She received her Ph.D. in Food Technology from Clemson University and is both a registered and licensed dietitian, as well as a trained chef.

Natalie Rainer, J.D., M.P.H. is a Partner and a Member of K&L Gates LLP's Health Care and FDA practice. She focuses her practice primarily in the food and beverage industry. Natalie practices food and drug law, advising clients on regulatory requirements for foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food and drug packaging in jurisdictions around the world, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Peter Coneski, Ph.D. is a Senior Scientific Advisor in K&L Gates LLP's Health Care and FDA practice. He provides technical assistance in evaluating the regulatory compliance of food additives and food contact materials in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. He also develops strategic testing plans and protocols for analytical data acquisition that support industry filings to regulatory agencies globally. In addition to his work related to food additives and food packaging materials, Peter advises clients on global sustainability initiatives, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, and compliance with emerging legislations impacting companies operating in a global marketplace. 

Lucy Angarita is the Director of Food Supply Chain visibility at GS1 US, where she works with retail, grocery, foodservice, and healthcare companies to increase data quality, operational efficiencies, and full supply chain traceability. With over 20 years of experience in program management and process improvement, as well as a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, she has a passion for solving complex problems and delivering value to customers and stakeholders.