Reinforcing Food Safety: Insights from the 15th Annual Maple Leaf Foods Symposium

On October 21, 2025, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI), hosted its 15th annual Food Safety Symposium in Mississauga, Ontario. The theme, “How many more wake-up calls? Confronting the Listeria threat – reclaiming control before the next crisis,” drew hundreds of professionals dedicated to food safety. As concerns around foodborne illness, particularly Listeria, continue to grow, the symposium served as a vital platform for discussing innovative strategies and reinforcing the importance of cultural alignment in food safety practices.

Dr. Randy Huffman, Chief Food Safety and Sustainability Officer at Maple Leaf Foods, emphasized the company's commitment to food safety. “Food safety is in the DNA of Maple Leaf Foods,” he stated. “We continuously seek new innovations and methods to ensure the safety of our people and our customers.” The symposium's goal was clear: to foster a culture of safety that resonates through every level of the organization and to share best practices across the industry.

The event featured prominent speakers, including Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, COO of the Meat Institute, who led a distinguished panel discussion focusing on the integral role of leadership in food safety efforts. The panel included industry veterans such as Jim Snee, former Chairman and CEO of Hormel Foods, David Van Eekeren, President and CEO of Land O'Frost, and Dennis Vignieri, President and CEO of Birchwood Foods. They shared their insights, experiences, and the pressing need for a systemic approach to food safety that extends beyond mere compliance.

Johnson-Hoffman contended that while trusting experts is crucial, it is equally important to maintain vigilance and verify practices. “Of course, you have to put faith in your experts. But when it comes to food safety, there is a limit to trust,