It’s the end of August and that means that classes are back in session! Be sure to check out the piece by one of our students on practical suggestions for creating nutritious and safe packed lunches. September is also Food Safety Month so we are hosting two events that may be of interest to you:

Professional Development Opportunity: IFSAN is offering a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification course, ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their food safety expertise or meet regulatory requirements. Complete details, registration information, and key dates are available in the Events section below.

Save the Date: Mark your calendars for our symposium, Advancing Food Safety: The Data Culture Imperative, on October 9, 2025, at the Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, DC. This in-person event will examine how robust data culture can revolutionize food safety systems. Registration is filling quickly—scroll down to secure your spot.

Here’s to a great academic year

Best,

Barb Kowalcyk 

Director of IFSAN

August always feels like a quiet turning point. The air shifts, backpacks reappear, and routines begin to retake shape. It’s a season of fresh starts - not just for students heading back to school, but for all of us looking to reset, refocus, and re-nourish. Packing a nutritious lunch might seem like a small daily task, but it can have a surprisingly big impact on your energy, focus, and overall well-being. 

A good lunch doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is variety and balance - think lean proteins like grilled chicken or beans, paired with whole grains such as quinoa or whole wheat wraps. Add a generous helping of colorful vegetables, a piece of fresh fruit, and a source of healthy fat like avocado or nuts, and you’ve got a meal that will keep you satisfied and sharp all afternoon. This same approach works beautifully for school lunches too: a simple combination of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables helps kids stay energized and focused throughout the day. Whole foods like fresh fruit and raw veggies are ideal, and using insulated lunch bags with ice packs keeps everything safe. Letting children help choose between healthy options builds independence and increases the chances they’ll enjoy what’s packed.

Planning ahead makes all the difference. Prepping ingredients on the weekend - like roasting veggies, cooking grains, or portioning out snacks - makes weekday packing a breeze. Using compartmentalized containers or bento boxes keeps everything fresh and visually appealing, and packing dressings or sauces separately can prevent sogginess. And when your lunch is something you look forward to eating, you’re more likely to stick with the habit.

At IFSAN, we believe that everyday choices - like what we eat - can shape long-term health and well-being. So tomorrow morning, before you head out the door, take a moment to pack something good for yourself or your child. Your future self will thank you.

Submitted by Georgina Woka - GW MSPM Student

Meet Georgina Woka: Passionate Voice for Safer Food Systems

Georgina Woka is an international student from Zimbabwe currently pursuing Project Management at George Washington University. With a degree in Food Processing Technology and hands-on experience in the Food and Beverage industry, Georgina bridges technical expertise with strategic thinking to address global challenges in food safety.

Her journey into the field was inspired by a desire to improve public health through the science of nutrition and food production. After years working in industry - ensuring quality standards and efficient operations, Georgina recognized the value of merging scientific knowledge with structured project leadership. 

As a student with IFSAN, Georgina has supported projects like the Reagan-Udall Foundation Produce Conversation and IFSAN’s World Food Safety Day celebrations. These experiences reflect not only her professional commitment but also her drive to support inclusive, community-based food solutions.

Georgina’s story is one of purpose and evolution. By integrating science and management, she’s helping build smarter, safer food systems - where innovation meets impact.

In recognition of Food Safety Month in September, IFSAN will be hosting an in-person symposium  on October 9 to engage stakeholders in a conversation about the key components of a positive data culture (data literacy, data leadership, data governance, data strategy, data accessibility, data communication): Advancing Food Safety: The Data Culture Imperative. This symposium will equip attendees with the insight, tools, and shared language needed to build and sustain a strong data culture in their organization — a critical enabler of modern, effective food safety systems. Registration ends October 1, or when tickets are sold out - reserve your seat today!

Registration is free, but the purchase of a lunch ticket is required. 

On August 14th, the Safe Food Coalition, of which IFSAN is an active member,  submitted a press release addressing the termination of the USDA  Contracts for Food Safety Inspectors. The termination of these contracts will negatively impact the safe food supply in multiple ways.  Civil Eats picked up the release and included quotes from several members including Thomas Gremillion. 

 “Since it was created in 1986 to advocate for consumer protections against E.coli O157:H7 in ground beef, the Safe Food Coalition has partnered with labor leaders in recognition of the fact that safe workplaces are essential to foster a culture of food safety,” said Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Federation of America. “Without union protections, government inspectors will be less likely to hold accountable meatpacking and agribusiness companies — many of which have deep ties to the Administration.”

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is calling for proposals from applicants who have received NIH, CDC, NSF funds for health equity research but had the funding rescinded. 

Rich, fudgy, and perfectly portioned, these brownie muffins are a decadent twist on a classic dessert, ideal for pairing with your favorite cup of coffee or serving as a sweet brunch centerpiece. With their crackly tops and gooey centers, they deliver all the indulgence of brownies in a convenient, muffin-sized bite.

💡 Food-Safe Tip: Cool muffins completely before covering or storing to prevent condensation, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria and compromise texture. For best quality, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or freeze for longer storage.

Recipe and image from: Britney Breaks Bread

CONGRATULATIONS to Core Faculty member Dr. Emily Smith on being named the Interim Chair of the Department of Global Health.  

Devin LaPolt - Prevalence and factors associated with laboratory-confirmed cases of select enteric infections in three Ethiopian communities, 2018–2022 | PLOS Global Public Health

‪Buffer-Kowalcyk - An Exploratory Survey of Food Safety Practices for Food Delivery Affiliated with Ohio Foodservice Businesses.‬ ‪Record details‬ - ‪EBSCOhost Research Databases‬

 

We want you to stay informed about the latest recalls, market withdrawals, and outbreaks. Click on the FDA and USDA links for the most up-to-date information. 

FDA: Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts | FDA

USDA: Recalls & Public Health Alerts | Food Safety and Inspection Service

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Recalls 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese and Horseradish Flavored Cheese Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination | FDA

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Recalls Various Wegmans Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese Products Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA

Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC Recalls Member’s Mark Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Pack for Listeria monocytogenes Contamination | FDA

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ready-To-Eat Ham Salad Products Containing FDA-Regulated Breadcrumbs That Have Been Recalled Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service

Kraft Heinz Foods Company Recalls Turkey Bacon Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service

Internships (Multiple) at Organic Career Network | Multiple Locations

Nutrition and Functional Foods Internship at Functional Food Center Inc. | Remote (U.S. based applicants only)

Policy & Advocacy Internship at Immigrant Food | Washington, D.C.

Food Safety Auditor at NSF International | Multiple Locations (remote options available)

GFSI Food Safety Auditor at SGS | Multiple Locations

If you have ideas you would like to see in the newsletter, please submit them to: ifsan@gwu.edu