What Are the Food Safety Priorities for 2020?

A recent survey was conducted among 200 processors about their most impactful food safety priorities, initiatives, and regulations, which concluded that environmental monitoring, microbiology, pathogen control, and employee training and education are the ones that stand on top of the list.

Fremont, CA: As a part of the Food Safety Insights program, a study was conducted to find the key priorities as well as the projects initiatives and regulatory requirements in the food industry. More than 200 processors from worldwide responded and notably, individuals with more years of experiences in food safety actively participated. They had the liberty to answer to the open-ended questions to which they could answer, irrespective of the category of food safety or operation related to food processing.

When enquired about the top priorities for food safety for 2020, their primary focus was on microbiology, environmental monitoring, and pathogen control. Most of them specifically targeted the control of L. monocytogenes, with several processors in the meat and protein category looking to improve their Salmonella and Campylobacter control programs, most likely in anticipation of impending regulatory and enforcement initiatives. The second most priority was the ongoing efforts to achieve compliance with necessary regulatory requirements, including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other third-party certification. Considering regulatory requirements, many mentioned that they were focused on compliance with the upcoming aspects of FSMA, particularly the Intentional Adulteration (IA) rule. It touched many areas of operations, including employee issues, supply chain, security, and many more.

Employee training and educations stand as the next priority that follows the plans that are mentioned above. It can be accomplished through new and improved training methods by adding more technology and also continuous training programs that can ensure better engagement. The teams need to be trained in a better way, and companies need to focus on improving their environmental monitoring and microbiology controls for the supply chain control programs.

Processors reported that they need to be better at finding and detecting pathogens, especially the harborage organisms. Many mentioned their plans to execute specific pathogen sampling and analytical capabilities in 2020. They are also planning to improve their sanitation program and better manage their ATP verification programs as well. Furthermore, the supply chain concerns will drive the other top area for the upcoming projects.

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