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Issue of the Month

What Should Food Processors Know About Their Water Supply?

By Phyllis Butler Posy, EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant

Water is essential to food processing, but how confident are manufacturers in the safety of the water flowing through their facilities? While compliance with EPA drinking water standards is an important starting point, it may not address every risk associated with food production.

From changing environmental conditions and emerging contaminants to opportunistic pathogens and biofilm formation, water quality presents challenges that can go undetected through routine monitoring.

In this month's Issue of the Month, EAS Independent Consultant Phyllis Butler Posy examines the differences between drinking water compliance and food processing needs, highlights potential vulnerabilities within facility water systems, and outlines five practical steps manufacturers can take to better understand and manage their water supply.

Under the Microscope

Can We Test This With That? Evaluating Food Microbiology Method Validation Needs 

Reviewed & Approved by: Alex Brandt, Ph.D, Chief Science Officer, Certified Group

Not every microbiological testing method is suitable for every food product. Differences in the product being tested, target microorganism, testing technology, or test conditions can affect whether an existing validated method is appropriate.

In this article, Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) examines the four factors that define a complete testing method: analyte, matrix, assay, and testing parameters. Learn how laboratories determine when an existing validation is sufficient and when additional method verification, mini-validation, or full validation may be necessary to support reliable results.

FDA and USDA Regulatory Updates

Key regulatory developments shaping compliance and market access:

▪ FDA Announces New Leadership for CTP's Office of Compliance and Enforcement

▪ FDA Releases Final Guidance on New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) Notifications

▪ FDA Proposes Enforcement Discretion for Small Retailers and Restaurants Under Food Traceability Rule

Stay current with EAS events, training, and industry engagement:

Consultant Corner

EAS offers over 200 independent consultants strategically located around the globe whose expertise provides core value for clients.

Meet This Month's Author

Phyllis Butler Posy

EAS Consulting Group, Independent Consultant

Phyllis Butler Posy is a science/engineering regulatory compliance specialist with expertise in technologies for clean drinking water, water reuse and safe processing in the water bottling/dairy/food and beverage industries. She investigates microbiological anomalies and develops strategies to assure water safety throughout manufacturing plants. Prior to consulting she was the Vice President of Strategic and Regulatory Affairs, Atlantium Technologies for Kahn Family Enterprises where she directed validation, global product regulatory compliance and designed reporting software for technologies including Hydro Optic Disinfection and 4-log virus disinfection credited solutions with medium pressure UV for water bottling and municipal water systems.

Meet EAS Consultant

Charlotte Peyton

EAS Consulting Group, Independent Consultant

Charlotte brings nearly 40 years of experience in FDA- and EPA-regulated industries, plus six years in regulatory consulting, to the EAS Consulting Group team. Her background spans pesticides, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, bioanalysis, tobacco, and cannabis products containing THC and CBD. She has supported clients through SOP development, FDA inspection readiness, staff training, cleaning and process validation, laboratory operations, responses to Form 483 observations and Warning Letters, and Consent Decree compliance, including serving temporarily as Quality Director for a company operating under a Consent Decree. She also has experience in analytical chemistry and quality management and has designed, built, or modified laboratories across multiple industries to meet regulatory requirements.