Next Generation Food Safety in Fresh Produce An Industry Perspective. National Academy of Sciences Food Forum September 9, 2008

Transcription

1 Next Generation Food Safety in Fresh Produce An Industry Perspective National Academy of Sciences Food Forum September 9, 2008

2 September 14, 2006 First call from the Calif. Dept. of Health Services (CDHS) to alert us of possible E. coli outbreak Several participants on the call with CDHS and FDA all brands identified by ill consumers On Sept. 15, with information still coming in from Center for Disease Control and the FDA, we opted to go to a voluntary recall because it was the right thing to do for our customers and public safety.

3 Re-Envisioning Food Safety: A Multi-Hurdle Approach Seed to Harvest: A new plan for enhanced GAPs Raw Material Firewall: A raw product test and hold program In the Plant: Enhancements in our packing facilities Finished Product Firewall: A finished good test and hold program Gaining Deeper Knowledge: Using testing program data to develop a deeper understanding of what s needed to prevent outbreaks

4 Ranch Selection Leafy Greens received for processing Pre-planting ranch site assessment: history, topography, neighbors GAP Harvest Audit Seeds, inputs, irrigation water tested for pathogens, buffers HARVEST PLANTING Water tested regularly; interval depends on source Raw Material Test & Hold Laser Sorters Dunk reel; increased filtration; additional wash step HURDLES??? Finished Goods Test & Hold Greens dried, packaged

5 The Food Safety Continuum Food safety does not stop at the farm (Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement) or at our facility. Strong efforts are being made at the farm. What about the rest of the continuum? Real collaboration is lacking. We must coordinate efforts to make real progress and reduce the risks we know exist.

6 Can Audits Ensure Safety? Pressure on industry to comply with a variety of competing audit standards All are very similar Slight differences could easily be resolved Audits are seen as the answer to food safety But buyers often don t understand what they are asking for Is this the best allocation of food safety resources? Will this process deliver the most improvement? Every producer, processor, distributor, retailer and consumer must be responsible for their part. Collaboration, rather than competition, among those striving for improved food safety could achieve real results.

7 Will current research deliver useful results? Several universities and trade associations are trying to coordinate efforts There s a gap between research and practical application Most of the research approaches the issue as if foodborne illness happens only in the US. Government should take the lead to create a trusted, safe environment that will facilitate data-sharing and research collaboration to speed up the pace of concrete, applicable advancements.

8 Initial Reactives and MC Positives Compared Raw MC Raw IR Yuma Season Begins Yuma Season Begins SJB Season Begins SJB Season Begins 50 0 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jun-07 Jul-07 Aug-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07 Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Apr-08

9 Raw MC Positives - Normalized Raw MC Incidents per Mil Lbs Rec Oct 2006-Apr MC/M Lbs Rec MC Incidents 25 MC/Mil Lbs Rec MC Incidents 0 Con Frisee Org Cilantro Org Parsley Org Dill Con Red Chard Con Tango Con Proc Radichhio Con Green Chard Con Green Rom Con Lolla Rosa Con Red Rom Con Green Oak Org Baby Spin Org Proc. Rom Org Washed Rom Raw Product Org Mizuna Org Red Rom Org Green Chard Org Arugula Org Red Chard Org Frisee Org Red Leaf Org Red Oak Org Proc Radichhio Org Tango Org Green Rom 0

10 Government Transparency Government agencies are working hard in an effort to protect the consumer. Tremendous public and legislative pressure to prevent and solve outbreaks These efforts have frequently generated misinformation, media frenzies, and a decline in consumer confidence without real solutions. In an effort to act quickly in response, early misinformation has led to allocation of resources to the wrong things. Further efforts to help industry understand process of identification is needed. Likewise, further efforts need to be made to help government understand industry. Perhaps inclusion would lead to faster results

11 Reform: Envisioning Future Best Practices How to Get There Recognize that pathogens exists in our environment Realize that we are all in this together one segment s isolated efforts will not protect the consumer Develop national standards for the continuum, leading to standardized audits Important as verification of compliance Collaborate! Work as an industry to make our produce safer Create a secure environment where research efforts can be coordinated and application and evaluation of research improved Improve government/industry relationship so that coordinated efforts result in quicker conclusions Open dialogue + transparency= trust

12 Thank you