Ep. 226: Jules Shepard: From Celiac Disease Advocacy to Gluten-Free Food Manufacturing

Jules Shepard is the CEO and Founder of gfJules, the number-one‑voted gluten‑free flour and baking mixes company in the United States. A recognized gluten‑free baking expert, she has authored three award‑winning books in the field and recently released a new cookbook dedicated to gluten‑free bread. A long‑standing and respected leader in the gluten‑free and food allergy community, Jules championed the gluten‑free food labeling movement in 2011. Her tireless advocacy, education, and lobbying efforts culminated in her receiving the first‑ever "Gluten Free Person of the Decade" award in 2020.   In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jules [32:50] about: How her celiac disease diagnosis led her from practicing law to consumer advocacy and eventually gluten-free food manufacturing The consumer challenges that prompted grassroots advocacy for standardized FDA requirements governing "gluten-free" labeling What food safety professionals should understand about celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, exposure risks, and consumers' need for vigilance Essential manufacturing controls, certifications, supplier practices, and other safeguards for producing trusted gluten-free and allergen-free foods Gaps in U.S. gluten labeling requirements, including the treatment of wheat, barley, rye, and related hybrids How gluten cross-contact, ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains, and voluntary precautionary statements can complicate consumers' evaluation of packaged foods How regulators can approach thresholds, precautionary allergen labeling, and substantiation of "free-from" claims while considering practical implications for manufacturers Where the gluten-free and allergen-free food sector needs to go next to better address the needs of consumers with celiac disease and food allergies.   News and Resources   News Abbott Nutrition to Pay $385M Settlement for 2022 Infant Formula Shortage, Contamination Incident [2:13]   Recommendations from Industry-Led Reagan-Udall Roundtable on Controlling C. botulinum in Infant Formula [7:41]   Cattlemen's Associations Oppose Trump's Push to Allow On-Farm Meat Processing: 'Food Safety is NOT Red Tape' [15:36]   Trump Executive Order Seeks Meat Inspection Modernization by Cutting 'Unnecessary' Requirements, Expanding State Programs [17:16]   EU Reaffirms Stance That Glyphosate is Not Carcinogenic After Considering New Data [23:26]   Study Shows Food Allergens Can Carry Over From Insect Feed to Edible Insects [27:28]   Resources   gfJules   We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Lily Yasuda is the Deputy Director of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, where she leads national initiatives that bring together food industry leaders to strengthen food safety culture and support continuous learning across the sector. She oversees collaborative working groups that develop practical, accessible tools to help companies share best practices and improve food safety outcomes. Prior to joining the Alliance, Lily held leadership roles across nonprofit organizations in the U.S., managing large-scale programs and partnerships. Her work focuses on building cross-industry collaboration, translating complex topics into actionable insights, and elevating the human stories behind food safety.  Athenais Boeffard is a collaborative and people-focused production leader with over a decade of experience in food manufacturing and food safety. As Vice President of Production at Bread Alone Bakery, she oversees daily operations to deliver high-quality, organic baked goods that meet rigorous food safety and sustainability standards. Originally from France, Athenais holds an M.S. degree in Engineering and studied Food Science at Mississippi State University. She has led teams through operational change, built systems for continuous improvement, and fostered a culture where food safety is a shared responsibility. Athenais brings optimism and energy to her work every day, creating an environment where teams feel empowered, engaged, and proud of the food they produce.  John Boyce has over 45 years of experience in various aspects of food production, food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, training, and auditing. He spent 25 years with Trident Seafoods, starting as a crab fisherman and then working in roles as plant manager, corporate human resources, regulatory compliance, national account sales, FSQA, and then as Director of Training and Development for the company. John is now an independent food safety consultant based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He enjoys working with clients to help them ensure food-safe products, and he is an expert partner and Core Team Member at Cultivate SA, helping assess and change food safety culture in food businesses. John is a citizen of both the U.S. and Canada and has a broad understanding of the cultures and food companies across the two countries.  In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Lily, Athenais, and John [49:50] about: Why the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness Mentorship Program was created, and the professional development needs it is intended to address How the Alliance matches mentors and mentees, and the factors that contribute to a successful and productive mentorship relationship Athenais and John's experience as mentorship partners, including their initial goals and how their relationship developed over time Lessons John drew from more than 45 years in food production, FSQA, training, and auditing, and what he learned as a mentor How Athenais used an outside perspective to work through food safety, operational, and leadership challenges at Bread Alone Bakery How mentorship can build communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills that may be difficult to develop through technical training alone The broader value of mentorship for strengthening collaboration, sharing knowledge, and developing professionals across the food safety field. Sponsored by: Michigan State University News and Resources News Stop Foodborne Illness Kicks Off STOP3000 Food Safety Education Month Fundraiser [3:58] FDA's Listeria Prevention Public Meeting: Experts Debate Zero Tolerance, Emphasize Environmental Monitoring and Fundamental Controls [11:51] Harvard Law Analysis Warns Food Safety Preemption Bill Could Impact More Than Additives, Create Oversight Gaps [21:12] News That USDA Cyclospora Research Was Defunded in 2026 Emerges as Nation's Largest-Ever Outbreak Continues [29:55] Alfalfa Sprouts Contaminated With Both E. coli, Salmonella Sicken 55 People in 15 States [31:53] China Investigates Illegal Use of Formaldehyde to Preserve Cabbage [42:15] Resources STOP3000 Fundraiser by Stop Foodborne Illness Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness Mentorship Program (applications open for 2027 program!) We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Rhodes Yepsen joined the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) in 2015, where he leads the organization's efforts to promote the value of compostable products. Rhodes is passionate about systems-based solutions, where there is synergy in solving for food waste and packaging simultaneously—addressing climate change, ecosystem impacts, and regenerative agriculture. Previously, he served on the Board of USCC, worked for biopolymer producer Novamont, and was a staff editor and writer at BioCycle magazine. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Rhodes [30:05] about: An overview of California bills AB 2226, AB 1812, and SB 1031, and why the proposed packaging policies matter to food processors and packaging manufacturers nationwide Potential compliance challenges for food companies navigating evolving California packaging requirements while trying to maintain consistent packaging systems across multiple markets How compostable food packaging and organics diversion programs can contribute to food waste reduction and broader sustainability goals within the food industry Why packaging decisions must account for food safety, shelf life, and product protection alongside sustainability and end-of-life considerations BPI's concerns about the proposals and the revisions it would like lawmakers to consider to support composting infrastructure, organics diversion, and sustainable packaging Key factors food processors should weigh when selecting packaging amid changing regulations, including food safety requirements, shelf-life needs, and sustainability commitments How policymakers, food manufacturers, and packaging suppliers can collaborate on sustainable packaging solutions without compromising food safety, product quality, or consumer confidence. Sponsored by: Michigan State University News and Resources News FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notifications for Ingredients Introduced to U.S. Food Supply [3:08] FDA, USDA Submit 'Ultra-Processed Foods' Definition for Final Review [9:35] FDA Finalizes FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance for Fresh-Cut Produce [16:09] FAO, Wageningen Researchers Review Broad Range of AI Food Safety Applications [18:53] FDA Finalizes Guidance for Assessing Human Health Risks of Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals [26:04] Resources Biodegradable Products Institute We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Brittney Miller is President of Manchester Farms, America's first quail farm. What started over 40 years ago as a backyard hobby has grown into a nationally recognized, family-owned business that produces more than 80,000 quail weekly, raising them responsibly, without antibiotics or hormones, and shipping premium products to chefs, retailers, and home cooks across the country. Brittney's story is about more than farming: it is about stewardship, innovation, and family values. She combines her passion for sustainable agriculture with modern food safety standards. Her SQF Level 2 certified, HACCP-compliant farm sets the benchmark for quality in specialty poultry. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Brittney [28:27] about: The history of Manchester Farms, America's first quail farm, and how the Miller family built a vertically integrated specialty poultry operation How food safety considerations for quail production compare with those for more conventional poultry, including unique challenges and operational considerations What SQF Level 2 certification and a HACCP program look like in practice within a specialty poultry production environment How HACCP guides day-to-day operations, and how it has evolved as production expands and processes change News and Resources News Researchers Propose Listeria Biofilm Colonization Hypothesis to Explain Persistence in Food Processing Plants [7:05] Researchers Identify Plastic Food Contact Material Properties, Background Microbes that Influence Listeria Biofilm Persistence [8:52] Research Collaboration Produces Guidance for Controlling Spore-Forming Bacteria in Plant-Based Beverage Ingredients [17:22] FDA to Centralize Administrative Functions, Generalize Inspectors [21:00] We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Mindy Brashears, Ph.D. is the USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety. Dr. Brashears previously served as Under Secretary for Food Safety from 2020–2021, and Deputy Under Secretary in 2019. Dr. Brashears returns to USDA from Texas Tech University, where she was a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor of Food Safety and Public Health, the Roth and Letch Family Endowed Chair for Food Safety, and the Director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence. Dr. Brashears' research program has advanced food safety in meat and poultry production, with a focus on public health. Her work evaluated interventions in pre- and post-harvest environments and antimicrobial drug resistance in animal feeding systems. She has led international research teams across the globe to enhance food safety, security, and sustainable agriculture systems. Her research has resulted in more than 20 patents and patents pending for innovations in food safety.Beyond academia, Dr. Brashears has held leadership roles on boards and advisory committees, including the American Meat Science Association, the Development Council, the International Stockman's Educational Foundation, and the Protein Pact. She was a founding member of the SAFE Think Tank and has chaired the National Alliance for Food Safety and Security and the USDA's multi-state research group. Her contributions have earned national and international recognition, including induction into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, Fellow status in the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) and the National Academy of Inventors, and numerous awards from leading associations.  Justin Ransom, Ph.D. is Administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), where he oversees FSIS' mission to ensure the safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling of America's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. He leads the agency's modernization efforts, streamlining inspection systems, strengthening public health protections, and advancing science-based policies.  Dr. Ransom brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in food safety, quality systems, animal welfare and sustainability. Immediately prior to his appointment, he served as senior director of sustainable food strategy at Tyson Foods, where he spearheaded enterprise-wide sustainability programs. His diverse industry experience also includes roles at McDonald's and OSI Group, where he managed and advanced complex food supply chains across global markets.  With roots in production agriculture, Dr. Ransom has worked as a scientist, livestock breeder, and global supply chain leader, deepening his first-hand knowledge of end-to-end food system management. He began his public service career at USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, contributing to the development of technical standards for the National School Lunch Program, instrument grading systems, and international trade facilitation.  Dr. Ransom holds a B.S. degree in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University and earned an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Michigan State University and Colorado State University, respectively.  In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Brashears [4:35] about: USDA-FSIS' in-progress plans for its Salmonella SAFE Strategy, encompassing a new Salmonella Gold Standard The data FSIS will be gathering across all poultry facilities and at individual establishments producing higher-risk products How the new data-gathering initiatives will help FSIS spot trends sooner and take faster action to address food safety issues FSIS' updated approach to Listeria compliance, and how it plans to address the overreliance among small establishments on compliance method Alternative 3 FSIS' creation of a new Office of Food Safety Scientific Panel, and the areas of FSIS work in which this scientific expertise will be utilized We also speak with Dr. Ransom [20:11] about: How USDA-FSIS is shifting from examining individual inspection findings to analyzing connected datasets, and how this will optimize FSIS inspection work FSIS' use of AI and large language models to help identify food safety risks, and the safeguards FSIS is putting in place to ensure the scientific accuracy and transparency of these tools How video-enabled glasses and AI-assisted imaging could change how inspections are conducted in the field How FSIS is preparing inspectors and veterinarians to work alongside new data and AI-enabled tools The importance of retaining human judgment in food safety oversight as these emerging technologies are rolled out across FSIS departments Resources USDA-FSIS Announces Pilot Program to Evaluate Salmonella Control Strategies in Raw Poultry Establishments We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Elena Medo, M.B.A. is an entrepreneur, researcher, and inventor who has spent nearly 40 years transforming neonatal care through leadership and innovation. She has secured numerous patents, raised over $40 million across four companies, and built a legacy of firsts, including the first commercially available shelf-stable donor breast milk product; the first milk bank owned exclusively by nursing mothers; and the first medical device designed to analyze human milk. Today, as CEO and co-founder of Leonie Health PBC, established in 2023 with her daughter, Adrianne Weir, Elena is developing a revolutionary product that replicates the immune properties of colostrum to protect preterm infants against the three deadliest neonatal infections—necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAC), and sepsis—which together claim the lives of more than 30,000 hospitalized infants per year. Elena's work is driven by an unwavering commitment to ensure that human milk's unparalleled bioactive benefits reach the world's most vulnerable patients. Companies she has founded—including Prolacta Bioscience, Medolac Laboratories, North American Instruments, and White River Concepts—have applied disruptive technologies to serve the 15 million preterm infants born each year. A frequent speaker at neonatal, women's health, and leadership conferences, Elena holds an M.B.A. degree in Healthcare Management from the University of California, Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business and is widely recognized for assembling world-class teams to solve critical challenges in infant health. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Elena [38:58] about: Her work in human milk science and the founding of Leonie Health, which offers bioactive infant nutritional products mimicking colostrum to support neonatal health and early development Reflections on the recent global infant formula recall due to cereulide contamination, which affected 99 countries and multiple brands Why U.S. disease surveillance systems might miss or misclassify infant foodborne illness cases What the cereulide incident reveals about risks for infants in neonatal intensive care (NICU) and donor milk settings Improvements to public health and laboratory systems that would enable earlier detection and response to infant formula contamination incidents and related illnesses The importance of infant-specific toxicological reference values for contaminants like cereulide, such as those recently established in the EU, and how the EU's response could influence regulatory approaches to other emerging hazards in infant foods Leonie Health's process for verifying the safety of donor milk Key principles for clinicians, hospitals, and parents to consider when making decisions about infant feeding when contamination events affect commercial formula products. News and Resources News U.S. Cyclosporiasis outbreak [2:46]: Experts Set Record Straight on FoodNet, CDC Cuts as Senators Press RFK Jr. for Answers Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Michigan, Ohio Together Report More than 9,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases; CDC Outbreak Count Exceeds 4,000 Taylor Farms Lettuce Named as Source of U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak How the U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak Reflects a Strained National Foodborne Illness Surveillance System Senator Klobuchar Urges CDC, FDA to Restore Food Safety Programs Amid Cyclosporiasis Outbreak CDC Reports Up to 7,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases Across U.S., Identifies Large Midwestern Outbreak Cluster Cyclospora Cases Climb, But Actual Number Unclear as CDC Reporting Lags Behind States Foodborne Parasite Cyclospora Sickens Thousands Across U.S. Codex Alimentarius news [28:30] Codex Publishes Strategic Plan for 2026–2031 Codex Adopts Internationally Harmonized Precautionary Allergen Labeling at CAC49 Following Infant Formula Incidents, FDA Urges Manufacturers to Implement Stronger, Substantive Supplier Oversight [29:53] USDA-FSIS to Expand Testing for Metals in RTE Foods Under National Residue Program [33:59] Resources Infant formula cereulide contamination incident: EFSA Reviews Cereulide Infant Formula Incident, Says Likelihood of Exposure is Low EFSA Sets Safety Thresholds for Cereulide Toxin in Infant Formula EFSA to Advise on Cereulide Levels in Infant Formula Following Global Recall U.S. Cyclosporiasis outbreak: "Cyclospora cayetanensis: An Emergent Public Health Threat and an Enigma for Traceback Investigation," Food Safety Magazine "Please Don't Stop Eating Vegetables and Fruits Because of Cyclospora," The Washington Post "Cyclospora Spreads Through Human Feces. How Did it Get Into Our Food Supply?" The New York Times "Publisher's Platform: The Traceability Rule was Supposed to be Law in January. This Cyclospora Outbreak Started in May." Food Safety News We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Alissa Welsher, Ph.D. is a Senior Consultant at Elanco Poultry Food Safety. Dr. Welsher received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a master's degree in poultry science and a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Arkansas. Her area of expertise is meat and poultry food safety, and she specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Welsher [1:39] about: The seasonal conditions that allow fly populations to surge and become more difficult to control during the summer months The food safety risks posed by flies in preharvest poultry operations The benefits of fitting fly control into a broader IPM strategy The initial signs of increasing fly activity and the first steps that integrators and applicators should take to respond How insecticides like Agita can be used in combination with monitoring, sanitation, and other pest management practices for effective fly control. Resources Agita® 10 WG Sponsored by: Elanco

Alissa Welsher, Ph.D. is a Senior Consultant at Elanco Poultry Food Safety. Dr. Welsher received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a master's degree in poultry science and a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Arkansas. Her area of expertise is meat and poultry food safety, and she specializes in integrated pest management (IPM). In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. Welsher [1:39] about: The seasonal conditions that allow fly populations to surge and become more difficult to control during the summer months The food safety risks posed by flies in preharvest poultry operations The benefits of fitting fly control into a broader IPM strategy The initial signs of increasing fly activity and the first steps that integrators and applicators should take to respond How insecticides like Agita can be used in combination with monitoring, sanitation, and other pest management practices for effective fly control. Resources Agita® 10 WG Sponsored by: Elanco We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected] 

Lyle Probst is the CEO of NomadX and an accomplished entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in operations, product development, engineering, biodefense, and advanced technology commercialization. Lyle was previously a scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has founded and led multiple companies spanning technology development, manufacturing, biomedical technology, and biological defense. He was part of the team that developed the U.S. BioWatch program and previously served as CEO of MicroFluidic Systems, which, under a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, developed the M-BAND biological detection system to continuously monitor for biological threats. The system was ultimately licensed by a major defense contractor. Lyle has also designed and shipped multiple mobile command centers and laboratories around the world for several governments and notable private companies. Today, Lyle leads NomadX's mission to help food producers prevent contamination through innovative approaches to detection and decontamination. He has spoken at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National BioWatch conferences, and has appeared as a contributor on national media outlets. He is the recipient of several awards and certificates of appreciation from the U.S. Government for his work and contributions to the BioWatch program and related projects. Lyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and an MBA in Executive Management. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Lyle [2:18] about: How his background in biodefense, autonomous pathogen detection, and national security led Lyle into food safety, and lessons from biodefense that can be applied to food production and food safety The importance of moving beyond a compliance mindset when it comes to food safety and how recalls and food safety events can impact a business beyond direct costs Industry blind spots related to microbiological contamination control The advancement of rapid pathogen detection technologies and what it means for real-life applications Utilizing pathogen detection data to guide root cause analyses, inform targeted interventions, and prevent recurrence Potential applications for artificial intelligence in food safety What the future of food safety programs may look like in light of advancements in testing, automation, and data integration Advice for food safety leaders as they prepare for the future. Resources The Three-Pillar Food Safety Solution Sponsored by: NomadX We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]

Alex LeBeau, Ph.D., M.P.H., CIH is the owner of Exposure Assessment Consulting LLC in Orlando, Florida, where he offers toxicology, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, and public health consulting services. Over his 13-year career, he has evaluated environmental and occupational exposures and has performed toxicological evaluations of chemicals and biological agents. He has also performed human health risk assessments of contaminated sites using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state regulatory guidelines and has monitored remediation activities at those sites. To evaluate the exposure impacts on building occupants, he has performed indoor environmental quality assessments, including Legionella and water quality assessments, at healthcare, residential, and industrial facilities. Dr. LeBeau has been a co-author on industry guidance for COVID-19 issues. He has also been retained as a testifying expert witness and provided consultation on several occupational and environmental exposure claims. Finally, Dr. LeBeau has authored safety assessments on consumer products, including antimicrobial pesticide registration dossiers, Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) determinations for food ingredients following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for scientific procedures, and submitted a health claim petition to the FDA that was successfully accepted by the agency. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Dr. LeBeau [26:40] about: The Healthy Florida First contaminant testing initiative for food products, which has notably raised concerns about arsenic in candy Gaps around Healthy Florida First's testing methodology, data reporting, and transparency that make the contaminant findings difficult to interpret in a scientific context How arsenic is typically evaluated in food products and what factors are relevant to determine whether detected levels are significant to human health Why detection does not always equate to danger (i.e., the difference between hazard identification and risk assessment) The exposure assumptions and risk calculations that are required to translate contaminant testing results into a realistic assessment of consumer risk How FDA and EPA typically conduct exposure science and toxicological risk assessments for contaminants in food, and how Healthy Florida First's approach compares Best practices for the communication of contaminant testing results to ensure the information is accurate, transparent, and responsibly interpreted by both industry and consumers. News and Resources News Novel C. Botulinum Test for Infant Formula Developed After ByHeart Study Reveals Industry Standard Falls Short [1:54] Infant Formula Brands Behind Botulism Outbreaks Used Same Organic Whole Milk Supplier [3:57] USDA-FSIS Announces Pilot Program to Evaluate Salmonella Control Strategies in Raw Poultry Establishments [10:29] EU Report on Food Safety Alerts Highlights Top Hazards, Major Incidents in 2025 [14:04] California Law Standardizing 'Best By' Dates Now in Effect: What Packaged Food Manufacturers Need to Know [19:16] Resources Florida Contaminant Testing Program Raises Concerns Over Arsenic in Candy Exposure Assessment Consulting We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]