Food Safety Top Stories

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The hygienic design, sanitation, and maintenance of food processing equipment and the surrounding production facilities are of paramount importance for an effective food safety sanitation program. In this column, we share additional information from processors about their programs, as well as the challenges and obstacles they face in keeping their equipment and facilities in the best condition to ensure food safety.

Efforts are underway to create a patchwork of new state-specific extended producer responsibility (EPR) and stewardship programs, recycling requirements, and minimum post-consumer recycled (PCR) content requirements that apply to packaging materials used for food and beverage products. Entities across the entire food and beverage supply chain may be implicated and need to be prepared for compliance. 

While most businesses in the food processing industry have detailed procedures, standards, and best practices to ensure food safety, Cut Fresh LLC has learned via experience that having a hands-on approach is what makes food safety achieve success, in addition to established procedures and practices. 

A risk assessment is a systematic process used to identify, analyze, and address potential hazards that could compromise safety. It considers how likely a hazard is to occur and the severity of its consequences, leading to control measures that reduce risks to a safe level. These assessments should be dynamic, practical, action-oriented, and designed to foster true competence.

This article discusses the fundamentals of a retain sample program, which ensures that production samples from each lot of product are retained onsite. These retained samples allow the manufacturing company to evaluate any customer complaints, conduct quality checks, and provide samples to evaluate in the event of a recall.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This article discusses different PFAS, their connection to microplastics, and their global impacts on public health and the environment.

In any manufacturing facility, managing change can create great momentum and benefits, or cause catastrophic disasters. This article discusses fundamental factors for understanding and overcoming resistance to change.

Spices are sourced from various regions worldwide, often involving multiple suppliers, diverse agricultural practices, and differing regulatory standards. These complexities increase the risk of contamination, adulteration, and foodborne illnesses. Effectively managing these risks requires a thorough understanding of the international supply chain and the vulnerabilities that exist at each stage.

This article explores the "why," "how," and challenges encountered when conducting challenge studies for safer food products and longer shelf life.

As we observe World Food Safety Day on June 7, with the theme "Science in Action," we must remember that science only works when those responsible for acting on it are equipped to do so. Expectations for food safety inspections and investigations remain high in the U.S., but the workforce responsible for ensuring the safety of the food supply is shrinking.