Accomplish Transparency In Food Safety

By: Robert Garfield, Chief Food Safety Assessment Officer, Senior Vice President, Safe Quality Food Institute

Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2018 study, when asked the question: Where do shoppers believe food safety problems are most likely to occur along the supply chain, 47 percent of consumers believe that most food safety problems occur at the manufacturing/processing level. To protect consumers, retailers are now expecting more from their supplier’s food safety and quality processes. We believe one way to accomplish this is to be transparent about your food safety and quality programs by implementing a rigorous food safety and quality management system such as the SQF Program. A great place to learn how to successfully implement it is at the 2018 SQF International Conference. 

With consumers more involved and interested in the safety and quality of their food, FMI President and CEO, Leslie G. Sarasin, said, “Food safety continues to be a top priority for our industry and our association. Selling safe, quality food is essential to our business.  While consumers trust that the products coming into their homes are safe and of the highest quality, we must diligently execute the protocols necessary to ensure that trust is warranted and maintained.” 

Sarasin continued, “The multitude of modifications to the food safety landscape that our industry has faced in the last few years has reinforced two things I know about change. The first is, even change that is wanted and for the better, is still change, therefore challenging.  The second is, given its inevitable character, you are either an agent of change or a victim of it. 

“As a food safety professional, you have had to be a change agent.  You’ve led efforts to transform your organization to understand and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements and ensure a culture of food safety is embraced by all.  This is no small task and I commend you for all the hard work you have put in.

“FSMA has put a spotlight on food safety and compliance dates going into effect have changed the regulatory landscape. That coupled with growing consumer expectations regarding food safety means there has never been a more important time to ensure you are staying on top of the latest food safety issues, advancing best practices and increasing consumer confidence.”

For more information on the 2018 SQF International Conference visit: SQFConference.com