Ep. 71. Bryan Hitchcock: Leading the Global Food Traceability Center

<p>Bryan Hitchcock is the executive director of the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). Bryan is responsible for managing and directing the GFTC, including overall leadership, strategy and governance, sales and marketing, and government, public, and industry relations.<br /> <br /> Additionally, Bryan is IFT's principal scientific and technology leader on matters related to existing food chains and their digital transformation. His previous roles have been with PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and 3M Company. <br /> <br /> Bryan earned his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.</p> <p><strong>In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Bryan </strong>[26:44]<strong> about:</strong></p> <ul> <li>The birth of GFTC and how it was made possible with the help of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration</li> <li>What traceability and communication should look like within the food supply chain</li> <li>Proactive steps food companies can take to improve their supply chain transparency and traceability</li> <li>How social media plays a role in communicating recalls and other issues</li> <li>GFTC's multi-year partnership project with FDA</li> <li>Why the Center has placed so much focus on researching the seafood industry and supply chain</li> <li>Four key data elements uncovered in research</li> <li>GFTC's role in providing feedback to FDA</li> <li>The need for more training at all levels of the food supply chain</li> <li>Ways to digitize the food supply chain</li> <li>Date labeling</li> <li>Artificial intelligence and how it's been applied in agricultural farming</li> </ul> <p><strong>Resources:</strong><br /> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/124149/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href= "https://www.fda.gov/media/124149/download">Pilot Projects for Improving Product Tracing along the Food Supply System - Final Report</a> <br /> <a href= "https://www.who.int/news-room/initiatives/world-food-safety-day-2020" target="_blank