Reduce Recalls, Improve Effectiveness

Since January 28th, when the Peanut Corporation of America expanded its recall of peanuts and peanut products, over 40 companies have announced associated recalls of their products.

While work is being done in the U.S. and around the world on developing better trace and track and recall systems, we are still a long way from agreeing on a format, a useable system that can be used by all companies. In order to be effective a recall system must be useable by small, medium and large companies. Efforts must be made to control the cost impact to the companies and the consumers.

Any system in order to be effectively utilized by the CDC or FDA or other regulatory agencies will require partication by all food companies. If industry drives the process with advice from government agencies the chance for adoption will improve. Although most people feel we need an effective system, most do not agree on who must accept the cost and burden.

Two food safety directions must be followed. The first must be to continue efforts to reduce the need for recalls by improving the checks and balances in the manufacturing plants. This takes training, monitoring and daily involvement of plant operations, quality control, suppliers, and consultants.

The second piece is an effective recall process. One that can find common components or products and remove them from the market in a shorter period of time. It cannot take weeks and months to complete the process.

I am involved in work on both fronts. Feel free to contact me for further information and discussion.

Be safe out there...
Rudy

rudy@powerinlearning.com
http://www.powerinlearning.com/