Shawn Stevens

Despite the well-known problems this year, a careful analysis of the data reveals that there is much for the meat industry to be proud of.

Apparently, organic, non-GMO, hormone-free, free-range, grass-fed and antibiotic-free meat is no longer good enough. Cultured meat, also referred to as "clean meat" or lab-grown meat, is increasingly garnering more attention.

Let's face it: Virtually all food manufacturers will have a recall. Over the course of the last decade, a handful of food companies have experienced many recalls, and some of the largest food product manufacturers in the world have experienced dozens.

If the resolution is passed, the California agency responsible for overseeing Proposition 65 (the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment) would be urged to add "processed meat" to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals, thereby requiring processed meat to carry warnings.

As a food-safety lawyer, these three words send shivers down my spine. They are all exceptionally difficult to routinely control in products regulated by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Almost invariably, at least one of these three words is featured prominently in recalls.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently entered into a formal agreement relative to cooperation and coordination. So, what does this mean for the meat and poultry industry?

There have been substantial changes in recent years in food-safety science, technology, regulation and enforcement.

While the total pounds of USDA-regulated products recalled in 2017 was less than the totals in 2016, there were 10 more recalls in 2017 than in 2016.

In 2007, there were only 14 recalls involving undeclared allergens in U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)-regulated foods. This year, there have already been 60 recalls involving nearly 10 million pounds of product.