# R&D RADIO: How to Audit a Co-Packer: The Food QA's Hermi Galstian Explains

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-08-17
- Length: 27m
- Episode: 352
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-17-r-d-radio-how-to-audit-a-co-packer-the-food-qas-hermi-galstian-explains
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1838c8c0

## Summary

Hermi Galstian, founder of The Food QA, explains to host Adam Yee how CPG founders can audit co-packers by distinguishing between food safety (preventing illness) and quality (consistency). She emphasizes that brands remain responsible for recalls and should verify manufacturers through third-party audits like SQF and BRC, as well as physical facility tours. Galstian details specific inspection points, including pest control, employee hygiene, equipment pre-op checks, and ingredient sourcing transparency, to mitigate risk.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Hermi Galstian and The Food QA
2. Food Safety vs. Quality: Definitions and Examples
3. Hermi's Path: From Business Major to Food Science Expert
4. Vetting Co-Packers: Referrals, Audits, and Transparency
5. Facility Tour Checklist: Pest Control, Hygiene, and Equipment
6. Ingredient Sourcing, Certifications, and Risk-Based Testing

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The Food QA (company)
- Follow Your Heart (company)
- Danone (company)
- SQF (other)
- BRC (other)
- GFSI (other)
- Ecolab (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Auditing the Auditor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-01-07-auditing-the-auditor) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [137 - Food traceability, blockchain, and digital printing with Adem Kulauzovic from Domino](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-06-09-137-food-traceability-blockchain-and-digital-printing-with-adem-kulauzovic-from) (People of Packaging)
- [242 - Pharma/MedTech Audits: 6 Strategies for Choosing Where to Start](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2026-06-17-242-pharma-medtech-audits-6-strategies-for-choosing-where-to-start) (Let's Combinate)
- [122 - Intricacies of Joint Audits, Rx360, Supply Chain Security, and Networking in Pharma/MedTech with Jim Fries](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-02-07-122-intricacies-of-joint-audits-rx360-supply-chain-security-and-networking-in-ph) (Let's Combinate)
- [168 - Audits, Audits, Audits: Why They Matter in Pharma, Medical Devices, and Personal Growth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-12-25-168-audits-audits-audits-why-they-matter-in-pharma-medical-devices-and-personal) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-17-r-d-radio-how-to-audit-a-co-packer-the-food-qas-hermi-galstian-explains. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Startup CPG Podcast.