The 2021 Virtual Food Safety Summit kicked off on May 11, 2021, with a seminar on the effects of COVID-19 on current and future management practices. Senior science and regulatory affairs professionals at produce, meat, and egg industry associations talked about how their members have implemented new food safety and COVID-19 management programs for 2021 and beyond.
Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., vice president, food safety & technology, United Fresh Produce Association started the session with some information on produce, and food safety challenges. She said that there will be a “new norm” for the industry, even in a post-COVID world, and one of the biggest changes will be that remote/virtual audits are here to stay, at least for elements of document review. She also said that produce production will be seasonal, not stationary, and that suppliers are diversifying markets. She also remarked that business travel may decrease post-COVID, since it has proven that virtual events can be just as effective as in-person ones.