FSMA Fridays: Top Risks Of Environmental Monitoring And Controls (Part Three Of Four)

Check out the entire webcast or read part one and part two of this series

In part two of FSMA Fridays: Top Risks Of Environmental Monitoring And Controls, SafetyChain Software’s VP of Marketing, Jill Bender and The Acheson Group’s (TAG) founder and CEO Dr. David Acheson discussed top risks in relation to environmental monitoring, as well as a review of FSMA requirements for it. Here, in part three, the duo continues their conversation on environmental monitoring with a focus on whole genome sequencing.

Jill: It sounds, as you always preach, the best practice is monitoring trends then discerning what's causing those trends holds true. It makes sense to me. Let's go into another topic here, which I know is near and dear to your heart. Should you be using genetic tools, such as whole genome sequencing?

David: This is one that I've talked about. For those of you who track and follow our newsletters, you'll know that we've just written about this. This is a real tough question. I think if we were to look at this objectively as food safety professionals and say, "Would we like to know in more detail what organisms are lurking in our environment?" You as a food safety professional are probably saying, "You know, I'd really like to know whether it's Listeria monocytogenes. I'd really like to know if it is. Is it the same strain that's popping up repeatedly? Because if it's true, then that would indicate a different problem I need to solve."