Headlines frequently report foodborne illnesses and recalls, prompting many business leaders to wonder what they need to do to prevent it happening to their company. When problems occur, investigators conduct a root cause analysis – don’t let that investigation lead to the top.
Building a strong food safety culture is commonly discussed but difficult to implement and measure. It’s challenging to know when you’ve succeeded, and easiest to see when you’ve failed. While a piece of equipment may have harbored a food safety hazard, the underlying reason often points to reactive, not proactive, food safety systems. Finding balance in food production is difficult as there is always more to do and not enough time to get it done. However, one of the cheapest investments ever made will be one that prevents costly recalls and outbreaks.
Risk-based is a ubiquitous term used in the food safety industry, and we have spent decades building an infrastructure of audits, programs and testing to support this concept. Despite broad efforts, outbreaks and recalls continue to occur, raising questions about whether the infrastructure needs some additional refinement. Prevention-based food safety recognizes that current efforts will never be enough. While food safety audits and programs are building blocks for risk-based systems, prevention-focused food safety requires active selection for constant deviation to reduce risk. Do we favor deviations in audits and processes? Generally, not.
Reflecting on failures in past events and thorough root cause analysis, we need to design systems that favor the right type of deviation. Passing an audit and not deviating from current food safety programs will not naturally lead to a system that iteratively identifies risk-reduction activities. Continuous improvement toward the right type of deviation is essential. Today’s goal? Be better than yesterday.
Western Growers Science is hosting a Management Strategies for Food Safety workshop on November 12, 2024, in Salinas Calif. This workshop offers vital insights into the qualifications necessary for food safety roles, the scientific principles behind food safety and the delicate balance between regulatory adherence and production goals. Register here.
Workshop Details:
Date: November 12, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM PT
Location: Salinas, CA (In-Person)
