An unbiased gap assessment of a foodservice business' FSMP should be performed by a third party, using a defined set of standards for each business function
The food safety management program in a foodservice business should be periodically benchmarked against the most current regulatory requirements and best-in-class food safety standards to determine if gaps exist in the program. The gap analysis should be performed by a third party to ensure an unbiased benchmark, and include a review of the corporate governance, systems/specifications, training/education, supply chain management, foodservice operations, and facilities design. The food safety management team should coordinate and review all deficiencies with an action plan prioritized to the level of risk identified.
A survey was sent to food industry trade association members representing food companies to determine what is known about food safety culture, food safety management systems, and active managerial control. The survey also asked about the implementation of such practices in support of a culture of food safety. The survey results indicate that many companies are well aware of these food safety concepts; however, many respondents are unsure whether their company is operating with true active managerial control. Opportunities were uncovered to inform and encourage engagement in active managerial control to a greater degree.
Failure to plan, design, implement and upkeep good Safety Management Systems (FSMSs)along with a strong, positive food safety culture often leads to compromised food safety and subsequent foodborne illness outbreaks at food processing organizations. This phenomenon is observed with a much higher incidence in medium-and small-sized food companies. In this article, ice cream listeriosis outbreak case studies provide context for the importance of PRPs, GMPs, and process control in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks.
It is imperative that we have an immediate paradigm shift in how we manage risk in foodservice establishments to significantly decrease the health and economic burden of foodborne illnesses. This article discusses how to develop a prerequisite program that can be used to train and be monitored via a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in a foodservice establishment.
For National Food Safety Education Month, Food Safety Magazine will be hosting a series of special webinars and podcasts featuring U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials, industry leaders, authors, and other noteworthy guests to discuss the New Era of Smarter Food Safety, food safety management systems (FSMS) for foodservice establishments, and significant books on the history of food safety, as well as interviews discussing the Jack-in-the-Box E. coli outbreak of 1993.
The IAFNS 2022 Annual Meeting and Science Symposium featured a panel that addressed emerging food safety concerns associated with new modes of food retail, such as e-commerce, ghost kitchens, and delivery services.
A recent study evaluated and compared the level of conformity with food safety requirements in cattle and pig slaughterhouses, for which large-scale and beef facilities scored better, on average.
In honor of World Food Safety Day 2022, ISO has published new standards—ISO 22003 Parts 1 and 2—for the accreditation of certification bodies that audit food safety management systems or food safety systems.