Ep. 157. Dr. Kathy Knutson: Food Safety Considerations and Regulations for Cannabis-Infused Edibles

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><strong style= "mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kathy Knutson, Ph.D., PCQI</strong>, is the Founder of Kathy Knutson Food Safety Consulting LLC, an author, and the Chair of the Education Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), with expertise in the fields of bacteriology, food science, and education. She speaks, writes, and trains on U.S. Food and Drug Administration <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Food Safety Modernization Act</em> (FDA FSMA) compliance, and has also trained over 500 Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs) throughout her career. Dr. Knutson works with managers to help them write thorough hazard analyses, food safety plans, recall plans, environmental monitoring programs, and allergen programs. Additionally, Dr. Knutson travels to manufacturers to conduct swabbing to locate pathogens during recall investigations, as well as for gap assessments of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for cannabis-infused edibles. In 2020, she published her book, titled, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Food Safety Lessons for Cannabis-Infused Edibles</em>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; background: white;"> <span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 4.0pt;"><strong style= "mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In this episode of <em style= "mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Food Safety Matters</em>, we speak with Dr. Knutson</strong> [48:30] <strong style= "mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">about:</strong></p> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">How she became interested in food safety for cannabis-infused edibles and beverages, and the challenges she faced in transitioning to the cannabis industry</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Her work with NCIA, as well as with the ASTM International D37 Cannabis committee, where she is helping write the first GMP international standard for the cannabis industry</li> <li class="MsoNormal">The need for proper packaging