Celebrating a Decade of Food Safety

Ten years ago, QA magazine was the new kid on the block, founded for the purpose of filling a need in the industry. There were other magazines focused on food safety or quality, but the industry was seeking a practical, in-plant applicable approach. What are other processors doing? How do I educate workers on the how and why of handwashing? Who is using best practices; what are they? What are the newest technologies; can they help me?

Discovering this need, QA carved out its niche and purpose: “Filled with practical insights and analysis of plant processes, practices, and current issues, the QA media family addresses the growing market need for targeted information in these key areas—in a conversational, friendly tone.”

That was a decade ago, a decade in which so much of the focus of food safety, quality, and defense has stayed the same while, at the same time, so much has changed. (See A Decade of Food Safety, page 18). It was a decade during which we took time each year to look back to assess our service to the industry, and look forward to determine the areas that would be of most use to our readers. It was a decade in which the letters and emails of commendation told us we were on the right path, and encouraged us to continue our efforts:

“I receive numerous quality and trade magazines .... I must admit that I look forward to Quality Assurance and Food Safety Magazine as my favorite.”

“The magazine is respected for its ability to cover all areas of QA and food safety from GMPs, pest and foreign material control to food defense and recall/traceability.”

“You are very knowledgeable in the food sector and your approach is amazing. It is refreshing to find someone that strives to understand the nuances of the business. ”

While we celebrate such commendation, we also know we didn’t do it alone. We have developed a prestigious Editorial Advisory Board impaneled to provide input and perspective into our editorial content and direction. (See member list below.) Not only do board members provide industry insight in each issue’s From The Advisory Board column (page 10), but three board members contribute regularly for Legislative Update by David Acheson (page 6) and From the Plant Floor by Bruce Ferree and Brian Honigbaum (page 58).

QA’s Advisory Board may have only 15 “official” members, but the knowledge gained and relationships developed through visits to the more than 40 companies and organizations featured in our Cover Profiles over the 10 years have contributed significantly to our ability to truly understand the needs and challenges of the industry and position articles toward these.

To celebrate our 10 years of service, we have focused this issue on A Decade of Food Safety, and dedicate it to those who have been a part of QA’s success through the years. We visited with a number of those profiled in previous issues to ask: What has changed since we published your story? What has the decade meant to you?

The stories and insights are as diverse as the companies themselves. From a life-size Big Bird made of Peeps marshmallow candies to a global view of the decade; from the rebuilding of a company after declaring Chapter 11 to life as a Tennessee distiller.

I hope that you find reading these articles as fascinating and compelling as I found them to research and write. We thank our readers, contributors, and advertisers for your support. We look forward to continuing to serve the industry over the next decade and beyond.

The author is Editor of QA magazine. She can be reached at llupo@gie.net.