Dear IFSAN Community,

September is here, and with it comes National Food Safety Month—a time to reflect on how the food we eat connects us all. At IFSAN, we believe that food safety isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about building trust, protecting health, and ensuring that every person has access to food and water that is safe and nutritious. 

In celebration of Food Safety Month, IFSAN is hosting a data culture symposium—scroll down to register! You'll also find several IFSAN faculty members quoted in recent news pieces and opinion articles in our IFSAN in the News section below. 

As we observe Food Safety Month, we invite you to connect with IFSAN’s mission. You can do this by sharing your experiences with us and by helping us amplify the message: Safer Food. Better Nutrition. One Health.

Best,

Barb Kowalcyk 

Director of IFSAN

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. 

The 49^th annual AAAS Forum on Science & Technology Policy will gather in person October 22-24, 2025 in the Washington, D.C. Region with pre-conferences at AAAS Headquarters and two full days of sessions at the Hyatt Bethesda. The event will feature a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and interactive workshops to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among participants. 

This event is designed for policymakers, researchers, scientists, industry professionals, science journalists, and stakeholders invested in the implementation and regulation of science policy. Participants will depart with not only a deeper understanding of the potential in science policy but also with practical strategies and actionable insights to address these challenges in their professional endeavors

Staff Spotlight: Dr. Devin LaPolt’s Global Commitment to Food Safety and Public Health

This month’s spotlight features Dr. Devin LaPolt, a Postdoctoral Associate at IFSAN whose work centers on enteric disease research and foodborne illness. Her projects involve cross-disciplinary collaboration and data analysis to support public health initiatives in global contexts.

Dr. LaPolt’s most recent work sheds light on the environmental drivers of diarrheal disease in vulnerable populations. Her 2025 co-authored study, “Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Community Diarrheal Disease in Ethiopia,” published in BMC Public Health, explores how water sources, sanitation infrastructure, and seasonal variation contribute to health outcomes in low-resource settings. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific solutions that address both microbial risk and social determinants of health.

“Food safety doesn’t stop at the plate—it starts in the environment,” Dr. LaPolt says. “Our work aims to identify the upstream factors that shape disease burdens in communities where access to clean water and adequate sanitation is not guaranteed.”

Beyond Ethiopia, Dr. LaPolt is interested in bridging science and practice in regions disproportionately affected by foodborne and waterborne illness. Whether it’s through field research, academic collaboration, or policy advocacy, her commitment to equitable food systems aligns closely with IFSAN’s mission.

As IFSAN continues to grow as a hub for innovation in nutrition and safety,  Dr. LaPolt's work reminds us of the vital role science plays in shaping a healthier, more secure world—one community at a time.

Undergraduates who are interested in learning more about the research process are encouraged to apply to the Student Research Experience in Food Safety and Nutrition Security (SEEDS) program, which is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 semester. Students who complete the program will receive a $500 award and IFSAN-affiliated faculty advisors will also receive $500. More information can be found here; the deadline for applying for the Spring 2026 semester is October 31. If you have any questions, please contact ifsan@gwu.edu and include "SEEDS" in the subject line for more information. 

Docket No. FDA-2014-N-0053. Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods: Compliance Date Extension 

IFSAN support the composition of and then signed on to the Safe Food Coalition letter opposing  FDA's proposed 2.5-year delay in implementing the Food Traceability Final Rule, urging Commissioner Makary to maintain a compliance date closer to the originally announced January 20, 2026 deadline.

The rule implements the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), passed by Congress in 2010 with bipartisan support. Congress originally directed FDA to propose recordkeeping requirements for high-risk foods by January 2013. When FDA failed to act, the Center for Food Safety sued, resulting in a federal court Consent Decree requiring rule finalization by November 2022.

The lengthy delay encourages rule opponents to continue undermining confidence and defending inadequate status quo programs. Current House appropriations legislation would require FDA to conduct additional evaluations, further delaying implementation.

September marks the perfect time to embrace the transition from summer to autumn, and this Sweet Potato Kale Salad is the ultimate seasonal dish. Roasted sweet potatoes bring cozy warmth, while hearty kale, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pepitas keep it fresh and vibrant. It’s nutrient-packed, satisfying, and perfect for easing into cooler days while still enjoying light, wholesome meals.

💡 Food-Safe Tip: To keep this salad crisp and fresh, store components separately, especially the dressing, until ready to serve. Roasted sweet potatoes should be cooled before refrigerating and eaten within 3-4 days for best quality.

Recipe and image from:  Big Delicious Life

Barbara Kowalcyk quoted- Foodborne illness surveillance is being weakened amid chaos at CDC

Gabby Headrick quoted -  RFK Jr’s plan to improve America’s diet is missing the point

Allison Sylvetsky Op-Ed - The MAHA kids’ health report missed an important opportunity on children and non-sugar sweeteners

Gabby Headrick quoted - Experts say Coca-Cola's cane sugar alternative "distract" from real public health issuses.

Gabby Headrick quoted - Decades ago, we made whole milk the enemy. Some say it was a mistake

Allison Sylvetsky - Perceptions of non-sugar sweeteners and non-sugar sweetener front-of-package labels among parents in the United States: a qualitative study

Allison Sylvetsky - How maternal morbidities impact women's quality of life during pregnancy and postpartum in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia: A qualitative study

Allison Sylvetsky- Formative Research to Develop DC-SIPS: A Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Sugary Drink Intake and Promote Water Intake Among Black Youth in Washington, DC

Presented by Allison Sylvetsky - Click here to read more

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

Recall - Sprout Organics Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach Due to Possible Health Risk

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Recalls Organic Gouda, Colored Cheddar, Mozzarella/Provolone, Pepper Jack, Swiss, Dilly Pickle Cheese and Monterey Jack Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Endico Potatoes Inc. Recalls 2.5lb Bags of Frozen “Peas And Carrots” and “Mixed Vegetables” Because of Possible Health Risk

Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Microbiology Intern at Procter & Gamble | Saint Bernard, Ohio

Behavioral Health Dietitian at Compass Group | Florence, SC

Dietary Aide at Dept of Veterans Services |  Virginia Beach, Virginia

Director of Nutrition Services at Compass Group | Los Alamitos, CA

Environmental Health Specialist at Virginia Department of Health | Bath, Virginia

Laboratory & Research Specialist at Virginia Tech |  Blacksburg, Virginia

Nutrition and Food Studies Tenure Track Faculty at George Mason University | Fairfax, VA

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