Ep. 178. Jeannie Shaughnessy: 'Nuts' About Food Safety—PTNPA's Industry and Regulatory Work

Jeannie Shaughnessy is CEO of the Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA), where she leads the association in fulfilling its mission and vision while managing daily operations. She works closely with the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Strategic Committees to shape and guide PTNPA in its ongoing and long-term strategies. Jeannie has more than 30 years of management and consulting experience with a focus on business operations and optimization, organizational development, change management, and communications. She is a trained Executive Coach, a certified facilitator, and a graduate of the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Program, while also being a two-time business owner. Additionally, Jeannie has proudly served as a board member for many nonprofit organizations over the past 35 years.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jeannie [38:05] about:

• What the annual PTNPA Operations and Technical Food Safety Forum offers for the nut industry, and key takeaways from the 2024 event
• Artificial intelligence (AI) developments that could aid nut processors in ensuring food safety and quality
• Topics of discussions between the nut industry and FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at PTNPA’s annual Washington D.C. Fly-In in May 2024
• How PTNPA’s Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts serves the nut industry, such as providing guidance on allergen management
• PTNPA's trip to Côte d'Ivoire, during which PTNPA representatives met with the country’s cashew industry to explore how it can meet U.S. food safety standards to enable entry into the U.S. market
• Ways in which FDA’s restructured Human Foods Program may affect the nut industry, and PTNPA’s participation in the Alliance for a Stronger FDA
• How PTNPA and its members are recognizing and celebrating National Nut Day on October 22.

News and Resources

News

FSMA 204 [3:15]

• Report Highlights Industry Concerns With FSMA 204 Compliance, Barriers to Implementation
• Public-Private, Sector-Neutral Partnership for Food Traceability Aims to Advance Industry Toward FSMA 204 Compliance
• Leading Food Industry Associations Join Forces to Form FSMA 204 Collaboration

Legislative Affairs [12:25]

• Proposed Legislation Would Give FDA Authority to Share Food Safety Information With States

Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak [15:59]

• Inspection Reports Show Mold, Insects, Meat Residues, and More at Boar’s Head Facility Responsible for Listeria Outbreak
• Following Outbreak, Boar's Head Forms Food Safety Council of Top Experts, Closes Facility, Discontinues Liverwurst

ResourcesFood Safety Matters Ep. 33. Maple Leaf Foods: Food Safety After Tragedy