From the Frontlines:
How to Mitigate Entry, Movement, & Persistence of Microbes in Your Facility
From the Frontlines:
How to Mitigate Entry, Movement, & Persistence of Microbes in Your Facility
💻 Complimentary Webinar
📅 Wednesday, June 10 | 1:00 PM ET
Microbes don't need a perfect opportunity to become a problem. They need a weak entry point, a transfer route, or a place to hide.
In this practical webinar, Certified Group experts Alex Brandt, PhD, and Leslie Thompson, PhD, will share real-world examples of how sanitary facility and equipment design can help FSQA teams reduce microbial contamination risk, strengthen environmental controls, and identify the conditions that allow organisms like Listeria to persist.
Complete the form to register. Can't make the time? Register and we'll email the recording link.
Could your facility design be helping microbes survive?
This webinar is designed for FSQA professionals who need to answer questions like:
-
Where are microbes most likely to enter the facility?
-
What transfer points allow contamination to move from one area to another?
-
Which facility or equipment design issues can create harborage sites?
-
How can sanitation, traffic flow, equipment design, and facility maintenance work together to reduce risk?
-
What should your team look for when positives keep returning after corrective actions?
Save Your Spot
Real-World Examples of What Not To Do...
And Expert Advice For What To Do To Protect Your Facility
After attending, you will be better prepared to:
Identify likely entry points for microbial contamination
Understand how raw materials, personnel, exterior conditions, and facility access points can introduce organisms into processing environments.
Use sanitary design principles to reduce contamination risk
Connect facility construction, equipment design, process flow, personnel practices, and sanitation effectiveness to stronger microbial control.
Recognize transfer points that move contamination through the plant
Learn how items such as tools, carts, pallet jacks, totes, clothing, gloves, boots, and equipment parts can unintentionally spread microbes.
Strengthen investigations when positives keep returning
Learn how to think through repeat environmental positives, evaluate possible harborage points, and identify corrective actions that address root causes.
Find harborage sites that routine sanitation may miss
See why damp, nutrient-rich, hard-to-reach areas can allow microorganisms to survive, multiply, and reappear after cleaning.
Meet Our Presenters
Alex Brandt, PhD
Chief Science Officer for Microbiology,
Certified Group
Dr. Alex Brandt is the Chief Science Officer for Microbiology for Certified Group and has been with the company for the past 12 years. In his role, Dr. Brandt is responsible for all microbiology technical services and contract research operations for the company.
His primary duties include assisting Certified Group laboratories with technical matters and validations for microbiological methods, helping laboratory customers with troubleshooting microbiological results, and providing on-site assistance for customers that are experiencing processing issues or sanitation challenges, including Listeria contamination issues.
In addition, he is in charge of all three sites that perform contract research services including shelf-life studies, challenge studies, process validation studies, and method validation studies. Dr. Brandt is a member of several industry organizations, serves on several industry technical panels, and has a passion for working with customers to solve their microbiological issues.
Leslie Thompson, PhD
General Manager, Lab+,
Certified Group
As General Manager of the Certified Group Lab+ Business Unit, Leslie Thompson leads the laboratory and business operations for our Aurora, Ill., and Turlock, Calif., Lab+ locations, which specialize in contract research (shelf life studies, challenge studies, microbial strain typing, process validation, and more).
Leslie has extensive leadership experience in food safety, microbiology, and laboratory operations. Previously, she served as Senior Director of Research and Development at a large lab company, where she led food microbiology research initiatives, provided technical and regulatory consultation to clients, and supported global teams on product testing, environmental programs, and regulatory compliance.
Throughout her career, Leslie has held progressively senior technical and operational roles focused on laboratory quality systems, method validation, and supporting clients with complex food safety and regulatory challenges.
Kelsey Wenzel
Business Development Executive
Kelsey Wenzel helps organizations strengthen their food safety and quality programs while building meaningful, long-lasting client relationships. As a Business Development Executive with Certified Group, she works closely with clients from across the food & beverage industry to improve communication, simplify complex challenges, and support more effective FSQA strategies. Her approach is hands-on and collaborative, making her a trusted partner for teams looking to elevate their standards while navigating the evolving demands of the industry.
With a background in dietetics and clinical nutrition, Kelsey blends scientific understanding with real-world business insight. She’s known for her ability to make technical topics approachable, whether she’s guiding customers through environmental monitoring best practices or helping teams better understand the tools available to them. Driven by a passion for education and continuous improvement, Kelsey enjoys empowering others to protect product quality and, ultimately, the people who rely on it every day.
About Certified Group
Certified Group partners with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise – So The World Can Trust In What It Consumes®. As a leading provider of laboratory testing, regulatory consulting, and certification & audit services, Certified Group includes Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), FSNS Certification & Audit, Certified Laboratories, EAS Consulting Group, and Labstat International Inc. Certified Group provides analytical testing and regulatory guidance services in the food & beverage, dietary supplements & NHP, cosmetics, OTC, personal care, tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, and hemp industries.