Smarter Food Safety with Frank Yiannas

Straight Talk. People Led. Science Based. Technology Enabled.

The vision of this podcast is to elevate the global conversation on food safety by combining scientific rigor, real-world leadership experience, and forward-looking, creative thinking - sparking solutions that protect public health, strengthen systems, and inspire collective action.

Why This Podcast - and Why Now

Food safety awareness is at an all-time high, there's an almost daily drumbeat of outbreaks and recalls, and consumer trust in food safety is at record lows.

On top of that, foodborne illness rates haven't meaningfully declined in over two decades, despite new laws like the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, billions spent by federal agencies, countless inspections, and microbiological test results.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media and trade press often cover food safety policies and outbreaks superficially, missing deeper analysis, context, and the systemic issues at play.

Smarter Food Safety fills that gap - asking the hard questions, exploring emerging risks, current approaches, and innovations, and pushing beyond headlines to meaningfully advance understanding, policy, and practice.

Host: Frank Yiannas

Frank Yiannas is a globally recognized food system expert with an exceptional breadth and depth of experience across industry and government.

With more than 35 years of public and private sector leadership experience, Frank served as Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. FDA, Vice President of Global Food Safety at Walmart (the world's largest food retailer), and Director of Safety and Health at the Disney Company.

He serves as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, has authored foundational books on Food Safety Culture and Behavior-based food safety, and has been recognized with numerous industry awards. He also served as President of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and Vice-Chair of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Frank blends policy expertise, practical insight, creativity, and visionary leadership - making him uniquely suited to host a podcast that is both authoritative and forward-thinking.

Show Concept

Smarter Food Safety is a monthly 30-to-45-minute podcast. Because of Frank's deep and wide rolodex, it will include insightful and engaging interviews and discussions with some of the best global thinkers on food safety.

What it WILL be:

• Insightful, science-based discussions with thought leaders / In-depth analysis of food safety policy, outbreaks, technology, and culture

• Action-oriented conversations that help listeners understand and improve the food system, their roles, and the organizations they work for

  
  

What it WON'T be:

• Superficial commentary or chatter

• Cynical criticism without constructive ideas

• Intellectual fluff with no real-world relevance

Who Should Listen

Food safety professionals worldwide; industry decision-makers; policy makers and regulators; innovators in tech and supply chain; academics, students, and educators; and engaged consumers who care about health, quality, and trust in food.

Call to Action

If your mission is to make the food system safer, smarter, and more resilient, Smarter Food Safety with Frank Yiannas is the podcast that will help lead that conversation - with honesty, depth, and real impact.