NC Food safety and defense task force
Coordinating interagency and public-private efforts to enhance protection of North Carolina’s food supply system and agricultural industry
NEWS:
FDA is asking industry leaders to strengthen recall compliance and ensure recall effectiveness.
Read the full letter on the FDA website.
FDA is asking industry leaders to strengthen recall compliance and ensure recall effectiveness.
Read the full letter on the FDA website.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2026 North Carolina Food Safety and Defense Conference:
September 1-2, 2026
McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606
How to Register: Secure your spot and view ticket options by visiting the Eventbrite Registration Page. (Please note: Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event).
Sponsorship Information:
Our top level sponsors ($1,000) will be provided exhibitor space, will have their business highlighted as a sponsor for one of the meals, and will have their business information shared on all promotional material. The mid level sponsors ($500) will receive special recognition during the announcements, and have their logo shared on all promotional material. The basic sponsorship ($250) will have business information shared on all promotional material. Sponsorship information will be shared on both the Task Force website as well as the Carolina's Association for Food Protection's website, for increased visibility. Sponsors will also be highlighted in post meeting information shared by CAFP.
NC Food Safety and Defense Conference Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday, 9/1/2026
9 AM - Registration will be open / Networking
9:30 AM - Welcome - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines
9:45 AM Keynote Speaker - Dr. Kristin M. Schill, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Clostridium botulinum and Infant formula
10:30 AM - Corrin Howard, Wawa
11:15AM - Food Safety Successes across NC to Grow Your Program
12 PM - Lunch
1 PM - Andre Pierce, FDA
1:45 PM - Recalled Infant Formula and Botulism Panel - Moderator: Dr. Ben Chapman, NC
State University, Panelists: Dr. Scott Whiteside, Clemson University; Michelle Howard, FDA;
Briana Lorenzo, Harris Teeter, Dr. Ethel Taylor, CDC, National Surveillance Team
2:45 PM - Networking Break
3 PM - Steven Goldsmith, PhD., FBI Headquarters, Threats to the Food and Agriculture Sector
4PM CONCLUDES DAY ____________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 -Wednesday, 9/2/2026
9:30 AM - Welcome - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines provide a welcome message
9:45 AM - Dr. Lynette Johnston, NC State - NC State’s Front Line Worker Program
10:30 AM - Networking Break
10:45 AM - Sara Runkel - Produce Safety Task Force Report
11:30 AM - Lunch
12:30 PM - Tabletop Exercise
3:30 PM - Conclusion - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines; Changing of the Task Force Chair to Todd Taylor
4PM CONCLUDES DAY 2
If you have any questions regarding the event, feel free to reach out to the organizers:
Candice Christian (Past-Chair, NCFSDT) at [email protected]
Veronica Bryant (Chair, CAFP) at [email protected]
September 1-2, 2026
McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606
How to Register: Secure your spot and view ticket options by visiting the Eventbrite Registration Page. (Please note: Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event).
Sponsorship Information:
Our top level sponsors ($1,000) will be provided exhibitor space, will have their business highlighted as a sponsor for one of the meals, and will have their business information shared on all promotional material. The mid level sponsors ($500) will receive special recognition during the announcements, and have their logo shared on all promotional material. The basic sponsorship ($250) will have business information shared on all promotional material. Sponsorship information will be shared on both the Task Force website as well as the Carolina's Association for Food Protection's website, for increased visibility. Sponsors will also be highlighted in post meeting information shared by CAFP.
NC Food Safety and Defense Conference Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday, 9/1/2026
9 AM - Registration will be open / Networking
9:30 AM - Welcome - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines
9:45 AM Keynote Speaker - Dr. Kristin M. Schill, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Clostridium botulinum and Infant formula
10:30 AM - Corrin Howard, Wawa
11:15AM - Food Safety Successes across NC to Grow Your Program
12 PM - Lunch
1 PM - Andre Pierce, FDA
1:45 PM - Recalled Infant Formula and Botulism Panel - Moderator: Dr. Ben Chapman, NC
State University, Panelists: Dr. Scott Whiteside, Clemson University; Michelle Howard, FDA;
Briana Lorenzo, Harris Teeter, Dr. Ethel Taylor, CDC, National Surveillance Team
2:45 PM - Networking Break
3 PM - Steven Goldsmith, PhD., FBI Headquarters, Threats to the Food and Agriculture Sector
4PM CONCLUDES DAY ____________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 -Wednesday, 9/2/2026
9:30 AM - Welcome - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines provide a welcome message
9:45 AM - Dr. Lynette Johnston, NC State - NC State’s Front Line Worker Program
10:30 AM - Networking Break
10:45 AM - Sara Runkel - Produce Safety Task Force Report
11:30 AM - Lunch
12:30 PM - Tabletop Exercise
3:30 PM - Conclusion - Veronica Bryant and Daniel Gaines; Changing of the Task Force Chair to Todd Taylor
4PM CONCLUDES DAY 2
If you have any questions regarding the event, feel free to reach out to the organizers:
Candice Christian (Past-Chair, NCFSDT) at [email protected]
Veronica Bryant (Chair, CAFP) at [email protected]
Sign up for the Pre-Conference Session: Food Traceability Rule for Retail Food Establishments
August 31st | 1 to 4pm | 4101 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC
Register here
August 31st | 1 to 4pm | 4101 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC
Register here
What is the purpose of the Task Force?
The duties of the Task Force, as specified within Executive Order Number 47, are as follows:
The duties of the Task Force, as specified within Executive Order Number 47, are as follows:
- Partner with state and federal agencies to conduct focused studies of the vulnerability of the State's food system to criminal and terrorist acts, and make recommendations regarding the following issues:
- Improving safety and security of the food supply system
- Reducing terrorism threat measures
- Improving food safety and defense mitigation and response plans
- Implementing or coordinating training for key stakeholders in the State's food supply system
- Recommend legislation needed to improve the ability of State departments and agencies to protect the safety and defense of the State's food supply and the agricultural industry base, including legislation to protect sensitive and proprietary information of the State's food supply system, safety and defense vulnerability information, and defense plans that, if compromised, would heighten the exposure of the State's food supply system to criminal or terrorist acts.
- Recommend budget, staffing, and resource adjustments necessary to improve the capability of State departments and agencies to protect the safety and defense of the State's food supply system and agricultural industrial base.
- Prepare an annual report no later than the 15th of December each year that includes any recommendations or proposals for changes in laws, rules, and programs that the Task Force determines to be appropriate to enhance food safety and defense in the State.