Food Providers Face Increased Liability

With the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011, food providers are being held to a higher standard. Worldwide standards, such as those benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) also have strict requirements. The result is increased liability with considerable consequences for companies involved in the food supply chain. Food providers are now required to have acceptable safety management systems in place and demonstrate the ability to trace and quickly remove suspected food from the supply chain. Period - no exceptions!

The financial consequences of failing to step up to today's food safety realities can be enormous. These include loss of market share, blacklisting, government action, legal liabilities and financial penalties. Consequently, a major issue for food providers today is "How can I mitigate my risk?"

The first step is to have an operational, certified food safety management system that is audited by an outside agency. Although the FDA is responsible for implementing the FSMA, GFSI has become the worldwide "good house keeping seal" for food suppliers, from growers to distributors.

 GFSI approves certain existing food safety standards by benchmarking them against their own set of criteria for acceptability. Once approved by the GFSI, these standards are accepted anywhere in the world as proof of having an acceptable food safety management system. Currently, GFSI-benchmarked standards include FSSC 22000, PrimusGFS, IFS, BRC, and SQF. The minimum level of safety is to have a verified HACCP Plan.

Having a certified food safety management system is now a requirement to do business almost anywhere in the world. So losing certification can literally put a food provider out of business. Hence, it is critical that those participating in the food supply chain acquire and maintain a certified safety management system. The second aspect of food safety that must be demonstrated is the ability to trace products and quickly remove them from the supply chain if tainted components are discovered. This is not an optional capability. Rather, it is the legal expectation.

Hence, food providers must keep extensive records of components and suppliers. They are required to look backward and forward within the supply chain to verify that immediate participants have met safety requirements as well. And they must have tested recall plans in place that can be quickly implemented to remove suspect food products from the supply chain or retail shelf. By implication, the food industry is required to demonstrate effective crisis management during a product withdrawal or recall.

For food providers today, the game has changed and is continuing to evolve in the direction of consumer protection. Risk mitigation now plays a premier role in business models. Embracing certified food safety management systems and demonstrating the ability to rapidly respond in emergency situations are now critical requirements. Those that heed these trends will flourish. Market penalties, financial losses and legal liabilities will ultimately force foot draggers from the food supply chain.

There are many professional Food safety Consulting and SQF Consultants who will help you to get the HACCP Certification. BDFoodsafety.com are the leading SQF consultants recognized by the International HACCP Alliance. Our passion is to help others to produce quality and wholesome food.

Source: Ezine Articles