Ep. 166. Robert Manning: Real-World Recall Management and Prevention Strategies

Robert (Bob) Manning, M.B.A., M.S., M.E.M., has worked in the food and beverage industry for over 25 years in various facility and senior corporate positions. He is currently CEO of Liquid, and formerly worked as Vice President of Technical Operations at Niagara Bottling. He has spent most of his time in Operations and Quality roles for large companies such as HP Hood LLC, Campbell's Soup, and Niagara Bottling, as well as consulting for major domestic and international firms.

Bob is also the author of In the Midst of a Recall: Recall Management and Prevention Strategies in Real World Scenarios, which walks the reader through what actually happens in a major product recall, and he uses his website, Manning Resource, to provide helpful tips to prevent recalls.

Throughout his career, Bob has led multiple investigations into product retrievals, market withdrawals, and recalls associated with various manufacturing defects and failures. He has extensive knowledge of plant operations and quality systems and has led numerous investigations to identify the mode of failure and put actions in place to prevent future failures.

Bob holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Salem State University. After graduating and while working full-time, Bob managed to earn three master's degrees: an M.B.A. and a master's degree in engineering management from Western New England University, and a master's degree in food safety from Michigan State University. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in strategic management and executive leadership at Pennsylvania State University.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Bob [26:23] about:

• His career in the food and beverage industry and how his experience in quality assurance, operations, and plant management prepared him for recall and crisis management
• The importance of having a recall management plan, and how mock recalls can help test and refine such plans
• Establishing an escalation process and ensuring a properly staffed and prepared recall coordination team
• How everything said is "on the record," as well as best practices to help companies communicate responsibly
• Working with and selecting external expert advisors during a recall investigation
• How to avoid making mistakes when restarting production after a food safety event has been resolved
• Why businesses should use mock recalls to test their traceability systems as the Food Traceability Final Rule compliance date nears
• Preventing future recalls by conducting thorough failure mode investigations and implementing effective solutions.

News and Resources

FDA Seeks $7.2 Billion Budget for 2025, a 7.4 Percent Increase [3:50]

Another Bill Introduced in New York to Expand State Regulation of Food Additives [10:01]

EU Poised to Make Sweeping Changes to Food Packaging Requirements, Includes PFAS Ban [13:58]

New WHO Alliance for Food Safety to Increase Global Capacity for Foodborne Illness Surveillance [20:10]

World Food Safety Day 2024 Urges Everyone to "Prepare for the Unexpected" [21:21]

Manning Resource LLC

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