The Move Toward Safer Food
The recent spike in food and beverage recalls is a cause for concern. In 2023, the number of recalls reached the highest quarterly level in four years. This is particularly alarming when you consider that the number of affected units hit a 10-year high in 2022. It's crucial to address these issues and ensure the safety and quality of our food supply chain. An increasing number of food contamination incidents, ranging from Hepatitis A in frozen fruit to listeria in charcuterie meat, has raised concerns among consumers regarding the safety of our food system. These incidents have sparked a valid questioning of the measures in place to ensure that the food we consume is safe and free from any potential health risks. Concerns regarding the safety of our food supply chain have prompted consumers to question the measures being taken to address this issue. People are looking for reassurance that their food is safe and reliable.
The FDA’s New Food Safety Standards
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently implemented two notable changes that are worth mentioning. In January 2023, the organization made significant changes by restructuring their Human Foods Program. Their goal was to streamline processes, enhance oversight, and improve communication in order to swiftly address emerging risks and recalls. By implementing these measures, they aimed to ensure a more effective response system for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.
In November 2022, the agency took a significant step in improving food safety by introducing the Food Traceability Rule. This regulation, established under section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), aims to enhance traceability in the supply chain of high-risk foods listed on the Food Traceability List (FTL). By implementing this rule, greater transparency and accountability will be achieved in ensuring the safety of our food supply. The latest regulation takes traceability in the supply chain to a whole new level. Building upon the existing "one up, one back" method established by the Bioterrorism Act, it enhances record-keeping procedures and mandates stronger data collection practices among supply chain partners. This ensures greater accuracy and reliability in tracking product movement and information throughout the entire supply chain. In order to ensure food safety, it is now necessary for individuals working with food on the FTL (Food Transportation and Logistics) to accurately track and maintain records of important events.
These Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) must include key data elements (KDEs) that are essential for maintaining high standards of quality and accountability. In order to meet the standards of traceability and ensure compliance along the supply chain, it is imperative for these products to have essential information such as a traceability lot code, location details, and accurate product dates for specific events. These requirements play a vital role in maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the entire supply chain process. It is crucial for all stakeholders to diligently keep records for a period of two years. In case of any investigation or recall, it is essential to be prepared to provide these records to the FDA in a conveniently sortable spreadsheet format, at the very least, within 24 hours. This ensures compliance and quick action when needed.
In an effort to ensure the utmost safety of our global food supply, significant changes will take effect in January 2026. These changes are designed to address crucial gaps in supply chain visibility, facilitate seamless information-sharing among key stakeholders, and expedite the removal of harmful products from the market. By implementing these pivotal measures, we aim to enhance consumer confidence and protect public health on a global scale.
The Future of Food Traceability
In today's fast-paced world, time can be a major obstacle when it comes to food recalls. The delay in receiving information about food safety hazards creates a lag in response from regulatory agencies and retailers. As a result, identifying the source of the threat and taking necessary action becomes a challenging task. Navigating the intricacies of our supply chain systems can be quite challenging. With numerous intermediaries involved in transporting products from point A to point B, it becomes increasingly difficult for manufacturers to track the origins of their direct suppliers' raw materials. The lack of uniform record-keeping in supply chains adds complexity to traceability concerns. This is because while some suppliers have embraced digital systems, others still heavily rely on outdated paper-based processes. These inconsistencies make it even more challenging to effectively track and trace products throughout the supply chain. The absence of clear visibility and standardized processes creates a ripple effect, causing slower trace-back activities and response times for recalls. It is crucial to address this issue with efficient measures that promote transparency and consistency in order to protect consumers and prevent further outbreaks. This particular challenge faced by retailers often prompts them to take proactive measures such as expanding recalls and removing extra products from their shelves. While done out of an abundance of caution, these actions can unfortunately result in shortages, food waste, and a significant loss in revenue.
Envision a world where technology seamlessly connects a finished product with its entire supply chain data, including all the relevant information about the sources of its ingredients. This technological advancement would revolutionize transparency and efficiency, ensuring that consumers have access to complete and accurate information about the products they purchase. It would empower individuals to make more informed choices, fostering trust and creating a more sustainable marketplace. By enhancing visibility, the use of advanced technologies in supply chain management enables partners to promptly and accurately respond to outbreak investigations. This means that potential issues can be resolved swiftly, ensuring consumer safety is prioritized. Moreover, this level of transparency makes it effortless to communicate essential food safety updates with consumers, fostering trust and confidence in the products they purchase.
The collaboration between the FDA and the food industry is instrumental in ensuring food safety and preparedness for any potential recalls. The mandates set by the FDA not only improve the food system and supply chain visibility, but also work in harmony with the industry's adoption of 2D barcodes at point-of-sale. This combination ensures that consumers have access to unparalleled information about the products they purchase and consume. With these measures in place, people can make more informed decisions about their food choices, leading to a safer and more transparent marketplace. Ensuring consumer safety is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to our food supply. To achieve this, direct communication and enhanced traceability are crucial.
By establishing clear channels of communication and implementing systems that track every step of the supply chain, we can guarantee the highest level of safety for consumers. Our Wide Angle Visibility solution at Nazar Systems can help with traceability. Contact us to learn more!