Traceability/Recall

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The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has released its first Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG) Report, which focuses on four themes impacting food safety: “Big Data,” the role of the microbiome, emerging foodborne pathogens, and food system resilience.

On November 15, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (Food Traceability Final Rule) under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204(d).

Setup fees are now being waived for the ReposiTrak Traceability Network, which enables independent retailers and suppliers to be prepared for FDA food traceability requirements.

The Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association's Industry Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts is an industry-wide reference tool for training, development, and operations in any facility that handles nuts at any point in the supply chain. The latest edition includes an update to the Food Fraud section and the addition of two new sections: Food Safety Culture and Traceability.

Fresh Del Monte has invested a stake in Decapolis to provide end-to-end traceability for Fresh Del Monte’s food products, with plans to make the platform available to other businesses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its internal review of the agency’s response to the U.S. infant formula supply crisis, which details key findings and recommendations that will allow the agency to respond more quickly during food safety emergencies.

The IFT FIRST event offered several key takeaways impacting food safety, from topics and issues surrounding supply chain disruption and innovation to data standards and contaminants.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland recently published an audit report that focused on food businesses’ levels of compliance with food law as it relates to traceability and labeling for meat products.

Food companies that prepare fresh food items often source individual ingredients from primary suppliers. The food safety risk is typically controlled at primary supplier plants or farms; however, the food safety stakes are high. It is necessary to have "boots on the ground" to assess how food safety and quality programs are integrated with the front-line operation for those suppliers who mitigate food safety risk on the behalf of a receiving company.

Food safety has always been an important issue, but like workplace health and safety, its profile is growing and must be viewed as a business essential.