#MACoCon Recap: Locals on the Front Lines of Food Safety

At the 2025 MACo Summer Conference, state and local environmental health experts came together for a meaningful conversation on how local food inspections safeguard public health, strengthen consumer trust, and support thriving local economies. As federal support for public health faces cuts, the panel underscored a clear message: local inspection programs are not optional but essential.

The session featured insights from leaders across state and county agencies, each highlighting a different dimension of the food safety system and its connection to local inspection efforts.

Dr. Cliff Mitchell, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau at the Maryland Department of Health, opened with a sweeping overview of food inspection’s role in protecting public health. He traced food safety back to landmark federal laws like the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906), the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (1938), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011, each marking a step toward a more integrated, preventive approach. He noted that local inspections are often the front line in managing risks tied to time, temperature, cross-contamination, and the growing complexity of new food sources.

Rick Kessler, Director of the Land and Materials Administration at the Maryland Department of the Environment, offered a different lens connecting environmental health programs to food safety. His presentation illustrated how MDE inspections, though not always labeled as food inspections, directly protect what ends up on our plates.

On the local front, Lisa Laschalt, Director of Environmental Health in Charles County, made the case for keeping inspections rooted in the communities they serve. Local inspectors, she explained, offer faster response times, stronger relationships with restaurants, and a deeper understanding of community dynamics. By handling everything from routine inspections to illness investigations and emergency responses, county-level teams can quickly identify hazards and build trust with businesses and residents alike.

Closing out the panel, Kenneth Welch, Senior Administrator with Montgomery County’s Department of Health, brought the conversation back to trust. He emphasized that transparency through clear inspection reports, consistent enforcement, and education is the backbone of public confidence.

Together, the panelists painted a comprehensive picture: food safety is not only about preventing outbreaks but building resilient systems that protect residents, support local businesses, and respond quickly to new challenges. Counties stand at the center of this work, balancing state and federal regulations with the realities on the ground.

Title: On the Front Lines of Food Safety: Why Local Inspections Matter 

Speakers:

  • Rick Kessler, Director of the Land and Material Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment 
  • Dr. Cliff Mitchell, Director, Environmental Health Bureau, Maryland Department of Health 
  • Lisa Laschalt, Director of Environmental Health, Charles County
  • Kenneth Welch, Senior Administrator, Montgomery County Department of Health 

Moderator: The Honorable Ron Watson, Maryland Senate

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