Recall/Crisis Management

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Class 1 recalls are defined as situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a food product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans. Residues of most of the so-called "Big 8" (and soon-to-be "Big 9," with the recent addition of sesame seeds) allergenic foods are considered as a basis for Class 1 recalls. While food allergen recalls are unwelcome, potentially valuable lessons can be learned from these unfortunate events. Good manufacturing practices (GMPs) have evolved from corrective actions taken to prevent allergen recalls.

This column will expand on the findings of the FDA study of the economic evaluation of the GenomeTrakr whole genome sequencing (WGS) program, adding data on the use of sequencing and how it will continue to change food safety practices and markets. It will also discuss what FDA is doing with GenomeTrackr to uncover previously unseen outbreaks and how this is keeping pressure on processors to expand environmental monitoring and controls.

When regulatory stakeholders effectively collaborate at the local, state, and federal levels and understand each other’s roles, resources, and authorities, food recalls can be processed more efficiently. This results in a more agile recall response down to the consumer level, benefitting everyone in the farm-to-fork continuum and potentially reducing additional exposures and illnesses.

Food safety stories are essential to communicate lessons learned and share the practical experiences of food safety professionals to enhance the effectiveness of food safety training.

The majority of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks are frequently attributed to foodservice establishments and are triggered by inconsistency in safe food handling practices and behaviors. Learn how to address these challenges.

A mysterious outbreak in October 2007, which affected about 450 people of all ages, was traced to table salt in which sodium chloride somehow had been replaced by sodium bromide, suggesting that food should be considered as a potential vehicle until it can be explicitly ruled out.