FSMA Tip: Locate Hazard Analysis Resources Fast with Google Search Operators
When conducting a Hazard Analysis to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)’s new rules, many are relying on Google to search for scientific studies, guidance and other useful information. But Google, like any tool, is only as helpful as one knows how to use it. Most fail to Google Search effectively, wasting valuable time weeding through (literally) hundreds of millions of search results with little success.
What Are Google Search Operators?
Google Search Operators are simple punctuation, expressions or a combination of the two that enable you to narrow searches to specific sites [e.g., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s website], file types and words and phrases (as well as exclude unwanted search words and phrases). Put simply, search operators are like secret code that filter out fluff.
How Do Google Search Operators Work?
Below are a few Google Search Operators I use on a regular basis for FSMA- and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-related Google searches.
site:[._ _ _]
Typing “site:” followed by a url extension (e.g., .com, .gov, .org) will limit your search to a specific site, like government sites (.gov), nonprofit organizations (.org) and university web pages (.edu). To search the FDA website for recalls involving cashews, for example, type in your search terms then add the FDA website extension (.fda.gov):
To search the California Department of Public Health’s website, just add the agency’s url extension (.ca.gov):