As a food-safety lawyer, these three words send shivers down my spine. They are all exceptionally difficult to routinely control in products regulated by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Almost invariably, at least one of these three words is featured prominently in recalls.
Those of you who read my columns know how passionate I am about helping food companies avoid recalls. By focusing on accurate allergen labeling, controlling pathogens in the food processing environment and avoiding the oversight that leads to golf ball parts making their way into food products, the processing industry can do a better job. But doing so takes persistence and it requires avoiding complacency at all costs.