reCONNECT 2025 | The Three Cs of Food Safety: What You're Missing

Food safety programs don’t succeed on technical controls alone. They succeed (or fail!) based on how clearly teams understand their role, how effectively they communicate, and how consistently they act. The strongest food safety cultures are built from the ground up, and they’re sustained by leadership that prioritizes clarity, communication, and consistency every day.

These elements may seem basic, but they often get lost in the pace of daily operations. Without a clear message, even experienced teams can misinterpret expectations or overlook risks. And when consistency breaks down across shifts or sites, so does confidence in the system.

In this session of Virtual reCONNECT 2025, food safety executive Sharon Beals will sit down with Trustwell’s Lydia Adams for a moderated discussion that explores how leadership behavior, structure, and team culture come together to shape real-world outcomes.

Sharon currently serves as the Food Safety and Regulatory Executive at Beaconpoint Labs and brings decades of experience leading programs in high-risk, high-stakes environments. She is also a recognized leader and mentor within the American Meat Science Association and the Women’s Meat Industry Network.

Sharon’s approach to food safety is both practical and people focused. She understands that even the best policies won’t hold up without strong leadership and shared ownership. In this session, she’ll share hard-won insights from her career and provide clear guidance for teams looking to close gaps in their food safety culture.

You’ll hear how Sharon has seen food safety evolve across industries, and what core challenges have remained constant. She’ll offer perspective on what behaviors most influence culture on the floor, how to build systems that support “doing the right thing,” and how to develop strong technical skills across all levels of the organization.

Topics covered in Sharon's session will include: 

• What leadership behaviors support long-term food safety culture
• How to maintain consistency across sanitation and monitoring programs
• Why communication breakdowns often create blind spots in food safety systems
• How to build technical engagement among non-technical staff and leaders

Sharon will also speak to the future of food safety, including the rising importance of predictive tools and how artificial intelligence might shape risk management in the years ahead. From new Listeria prevention expectations to keeping up with rapid changes in regulation, she’ll share practical ideas for staying informed and taking proactive action without overwhelming your team.

Digital Download: The Future of Food Tech: Key Drivers & Trends

This session is built for food safety professionals, plant managers, and senior leaders who want to reinforce strong habits and avoid gaps that lead to bigger issues. Whether you’re leading a national program or managing operations at a single facility, you’ll walk away with ideas you can apply immediately to strengthen your team’s culture and performance.

Join Us for Virtual reCONNECT 2025: The Connected Future of the Food Industry