“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – C.S. Lewis

This quote is a powerful reflection on perspective and perception. It set the tone for the keynote remarks and the discussions that followed. The keynote speaker, Dr. Emilio Esteban, former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA and now Chief Scientific Officer at Mérieux NutriSciences, offered an insightful perspective on emerging challenges, the evolving food safety landscape and shifting regulatory priorities. Discussions that followed stressed the importance of translating oversight into meaningful impact.

From his remarks, it became clear that while science provides the foundation for continuous improvement, it alone is not enough to strengthen our food safety system. Dr. Esteban emphasized the need for alignment, collaboration and consistency among regulators and industry alike to ensure that oversight truly enhances outcomes rather than merely increasing compliance demands.

A particularly relevant point for the produce industry was the growing fragmentation of state-level regulations. As more states adopt their own food safety requirements, companies face added layers of complexity, cost and logistical strain. Without greater standardization and harmonization, the result is often inefficiency rather than improved safety.

At Western Growers, we share the view that the path forward requires both science-based policies and coordinated oversight. Science can inform smarter regulation—but it must be paired with collaboration, data sharing and trust. Only then can we move from oversight to true impact—advancing both public health and the sustainability of our food systems. If you are a fresh produce entity facing any food safety regulatory issues or have any questions, I welcome you to reach out to me at [email protected].