Get to know our KTL team! This month, we are catching up with KTL Consultant Samantha Edwards. Samantha has in-depth knowledge of FDA food safety regulations as they apply in laboratory, manufacturing, and packaging settings–and specialized expertise in fermentation science. She is based out of Asheville, NC. 

Tell us a little bit about your background—what are your areas of expertise?

I received my bachelor’s degree in food science and technology from Virginia Tech in 2013. I started my career in meat packaging and moved into fermentation science. I also have some experience in nutraceuticals and juice manufacturing. My expertise is in food safety and quality management.

What types of clients do you work with? What are the biggest issues you see them facing right now?

I work with food manufacturing and food packaging clients. The biggest issue I am seeing in the industry currently is staffing shortages. These staffing issues can negatively impact the food safety management system (FSMS) and how the company is able to fulfill food safety and quality commitments and requirements. Our food safety team continues to support our clients through these challenging times by assisting with hiring and onboarding, training employees to understand and fulfill food safety responsibilities, conducting remote and onsite assessments of the FSMS to help ensure compliance with requirements, and even stepping in as interim food safety team leaders when needed.

What would you say is a highlight of your job?

The highlight of my job is getting to work with so many people with different professional backgrounds. If there is ever something I want to learn more about, I know I have resources within KTL I can reach out to.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I am involved in a running club. We run three times a week and run a few races a month together. I also spend as much time as possible outside with my dogs enjoying the Blue Ridge Mountains that we get to call home.

Read Samantha’s full bio.