Food Safety and Produce AEC 317 November 13, 2013 Unit Two Where did this tomato come from? How was it handled? How do I know its safe? I thought fresh produce was good for my health. Food Safety 2 3 Focus of the Presentation Increasing link for consumers between food and health Increasing link for consumers between food and health Produce lightening rod Produce lightening rod Managing food safety Managing food safety Government (FDA) Industry supply chain strategies Marketing Food Safety Marketing Food Safety Health Costs of Foodborne illness A recent study estimated total health costs of food safety outbreaks at $152 billion in the U.S. Physician services Hospital services Medicines Quality of life losses oDeaths oPain and suffering oDisabilities This does not include agricultural losses 5 The big picture Between 6 and 33 million people affected by foodborne illness each year (all foods) Between 6 and 33 million people affected by foodborne illness each year (all foods) Post Sept 11 expanded to include biosecurity Post Sept 11 expanded to include biosecurity Deaths as high as 8,000 in a single year Deaths as high as 8,000 in a single year Main food safety challenges in produce Main food safety challenges in produce Pathogens (bacteria, etc.) Chemical residues Foreign matter (glass, staples, etc.) Pathogens by far the largest source of risk The big picture Produce quality assurance regulated by the Food & Drug Administration Produce quality assurance regulated by the Food & Drug AdministrationFood & Drug AdministrationFood & Drug Administration 639 outbreaks and over 31,000 reported illnesses connected with produce 639 outbreaks and over 31,000 reported illnesses connected with produce Class I recallThe product poses a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Example: E. coli in spinach. Class I recallThe product poses a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Example: E. coli in spinach. Class II recallThe product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Example: undeclared milk allergens in soup. Class II recallThe product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Example: undeclared milk allergens in soup. Class III recallThe product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Example: Soda labeled caffeine-free is found to contain caffeine. Class III recallThe product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Example: Soda labeled caffeine-free is found to contain caffeine. An interesting fact There is no evidence that anybody has ever died from pesticide residues on food from lawful application of pesticides There is no evidence that anybody has ever died from pesticide residues on food from lawful application of pesticides An interesting problem. The science to detect the smallest threats is far ahead of the science to protect a food system from these threats The science to detect the smallest threats is far ahead of the science to protect a food system from these threats The degree of safety is highly subjective and hazards characterized more by uncertainy (the unknown) than by risk (observed actuarial). The degree of safety is highly subjective and hazards characterized more by uncertainy (the unknown) than by risk (observed actuarial). Food Safety Rating By Kentucky Producers Source: Woods, 2003 Farmers Perceptions of the safety of produce in U.S. markets Where do most food safety problems occur? Farmers vs Consumers High risk Risk of Pesticide Related Death S R Q P O N M L System wide supply chain priorities Percent of participants rating issue as a high priority IssueRetailerGrower/shipper Food safety Quality specifications Cold chain maintenance HACCP standards Inventory turns Vendor partnerships Product traceability Decreased order time E-commerce VMI Flow through/cross dock Source: Perisio, et al., 2001 Current Industry Best Management Practices Preserving the cold chain Preserving the cold chain Worker sanitation (clean, healthy workers) Worker sanitation (clean, healthy workers) Facility sanitation Facility sanitation Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) Implemented in most fresh cut and packing/shipping operations Implemented in most fresh cut and packing/shipping operations Lower inventories and accelerated time to market Lower inventories and accelerated time to market Certification Many industry safety guidelines are voluntary Many industry safety guidelines are voluntary Third party certification Third party certification Hinton Strawberry Farms Hinton Strawberry FarmsHinton Strawberry FarmsHinton Strawberry Farms Primus Labs Primus LabsPrimus LabsPrimus Labs American Food Safety Institute American Food Safety Institute Signals of quality assurance increasing in importance to most retail and foodservice customers Signals of quality assurance increasing in importance to most retail and foodservice customers Certification Global Good Ag Practices Global Good Ag Practices California Leafy Greens toward a mandated order? California Leafy Greens toward a mandated order? Marketing Food Safety Growth in organics Growth in organics Major retailers Natural foods stores USDA Eco-labeling Eco-labeling Ecolabeling Standards Ecolabeling StandardsEcolabeling Standards Traceback systems Radio frequency id tags Dole, WalMart Traceback systems Radio frequency id tags Dole, WalMart Growth in direct marketing and association of local with safe? Growth in direct marketing and association of local with safe? Marketing Green Packaging Recyclable containers Marketing Green Packaging Recyclable containers Food Safety Modernization Act (2011) Mandatory food safety programs for produce and other food processors Mandatory food safety programs for produce and other food processors Includes farm-level third party audits Includes farm-level third party audits Exempts small firms under $500,000 Exempts small firms under $500,000 Fairness and effectiveness questioned Fairness and effectiveness questioned