Responsibilities for Food Manufacturers and the Government
Dennis AuBuchon
February 04, 2010
The safety of our food has come into question in recent months. There have been incidents where food products from various manufacturers has had to be recalled due to safety concerns. The issue of food safety involves not only the quality of the food but the safety of it. We as citizens expect that the food we eat is safe for our consumption. This involves responsibilities of the manufacturer but it also involves responsibilities of the government. Manufacturers and producers of the food we eat have distinct responsibilities. These responsibilities involve having a safe environment where food is produced, manufactured or packaged for distribution. Recent issues with food appear to indicate some processes failed to operate in a safe manner.
It must also be remembered that not all our food is produced, manufactured or packaged within the borders of the United States. Food safety is an issue that is not limited to any one country but should be one which all countries should be concerned. Food that is consumed by any citizen of any country must be safe to eat.
The main focus of this article is to identify the various conditions which must be met or verified to have safe food for consumption and who is responsible. To begin the requirements for processing and manufacturing food has various requirements dependent upon the food being produced. There are various laws within each state and country that must be met before they can sell to consumers. Issues with food safety requirements or regulations in other countries are not the focus of this article. It is the need to verify food safety. While we are a great country and produce much of the food needed for our citizens we also must realize that we import some foods.
I will first address the distinct requirements and responsibilities for imported food. To begin when a company decides to import food for distribution and consumption they must realize they have a responsibility to assure it is safe. This entails having a process in place to assure it meets the applicable food safety standards imposed by state or federal agencies. This is important for two reasons. If food is found to be unsafe and has caused either sickness or death it gives a company and/or a country bad reputation. Bad reputations are bad for business. It affects future sales of products not only from a company perspective but also from a country perspective. Countries who export food to the United States must have processes in place to assure it meets the safety standards imposed by the applicable regulations. Just like toys that have been recalled for safety concerns it established a bad reputation for the country who manufactured them. This causes individuals to think twice before purchasing products from a country with a bad reputation. The same is true in the area of food safety.
With regards to the manufacture, production or packaging of food in our country the atmosphere where food is handled is subject to inspection by state and federal officials. The Food and Drug Administration has the responsibility for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation´s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. It is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. Another agency which has some impact is the United States Department of Agriculture. The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
Recent issues with food safety have I believe sparked some concerns about the safety of food on the market. While issues have been identified it is important to understand that there is thousands of food products sold every day by hundreds if not thousands of producers and/or manufacturers. This does not negate the fact that our food supply needs to be safe for our consumption. I have pointed out the responsibilities of the government in assuring our food is safe but manufacturers and producers must also take some responsibility for the safety of our food. It must also be pointed out that there are many fine producers or manufacturers of food for our consumption and many take the safety issues seriously. This is evident about the recalls that are voluntarily made every year. Two elements need to be discussed and efforts to assure the safety of food being sold to consumers everywhere.
The health concerns with food safety in relation to recent food recalls identified some conditions resulting in unhealthy food being distributed for consumption. I am not criticizing the fact that there have been food recalls and I applaud those who have voluntarily recalled their products due to safety concerns. The point is not that the recalls have been issued but the conditions which caused them. The requirements for processing all foods must be examined to assure that proper procedures and requirements are in place to assure food safety. The issues identified in food recalls must be examined by those who have similar processes to assure their process/procedures have controls to avert similar incidents for their companies. Those companies who have had issues must examine where their system broke down and fix it. Part of the responsibility also rest with government agencies that perform inspections of facilities involved in the processing of food.
It is important to recognize there are varying requirements for all types of foods being sold to consumers. The main point in the processing of food is that there is need to have controls in place to guard against unhealthy conditions and products that create various food products. A company can have the safest environment and have the utmost concern for safety but they can still have problems. The reason for this is that many food manufacturers or producers do not produce all ingredients for their products and must rely on suppliers to furnish various ingredients. Safety verification must be in place at all levels of food manufacture and production. The Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration also have some responsibilities in this arena with regards to inspections. Granted food inspections are great but ultimately the responsibility for food safety rest with food manufacturers/producers. They must assure the food they are distributing for sale to consumers is safe. To do less can result in the recall of their products at their costs which affects their profits and security of their company.
It must also be remembered that not all our food is produced, manufactured or packaged within the borders of the United States. Food safety is an issue that is not limited to any one country but should be one which all countries should be concerned. Food that is consumed by any citizen of any country must be safe to eat.
The main focus of this article is to identify the various conditions which must be met or verified to have safe food for consumption and who is responsible. To begin the requirements for processing and manufacturing food has various requirements dependent upon the food being produced. There are various laws within each state and country that must be met before they can sell to consumers. Issues with food safety requirements or regulations in other countries are not the focus of this article. It is the need to verify food safety. While we are a great country and produce much of the food needed for our citizens we also must realize that we import some foods.
I will first address the distinct requirements and responsibilities for imported food. To begin when a company decides to import food for distribution and consumption they must realize they have a responsibility to assure it is safe. This entails having a process in place to assure it meets the applicable food safety standards imposed by state or federal agencies. This is important for two reasons. If food is found to be unsafe and has caused either sickness or death it gives a company and/or a country bad reputation. Bad reputations are bad for business. It affects future sales of products not only from a company perspective but also from a country perspective. Countries who export food to the United States must have processes in place to assure it meets the safety standards imposed by the applicable regulations. Just like toys that have been recalled for safety concerns it established a bad reputation for the country who manufactured them. This causes individuals to think twice before purchasing products from a country with a bad reputation. The same is true in the area of food safety.
With regards to the manufacture, production or packaging of food in our country the atmosphere where food is handled is subject to inspection by state and federal officials. The Food and Drug Administration has the responsibility for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation´s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. It is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. Another agency which has some impact is the United States Department of Agriculture. The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
Recent issues with food safety have I believe sparked some concerns about the safety of food on the market. While issues have been identified it is important to understand that there is thousands of food products sold every day by hundreds if not thousands of producers and/or manufacturers. This does not negate the fact that our food supply needs to be safe for our consumption. I have pointed out the responsibilities of the government in assuring our food is safe but manufacturers and producers must also take some responsibility for the safety of our food. It must also be pointed out that there are many fine producers or manufacturers of food for our consumption and many take the safety issues seriously. This is evident about the recalls that are voluntarily made every year. Two elements need to be discussed and efforts to assure the safety of food being sold to consumers everywhere.
The health concerns with food safety in relation to recent food recalls identified some conditions resulting in unhealthy food being distributed for consumption. I am not criticizing the fact that there have been food recalls and I applaud those who have voluntarily recalled their products due to safety concerns. The point is not that the recalls have been issued but the conditions which caused them. The requirements for processing all foods must be examined to assure that proper procedures and requirements are in place to assure food safety. The issues identified in food recalls must be examined by those who have similar processes to assure their process/procedures have controls to avert similar incidents for their companies. Those companies who have had issues must examine where their system broke down and fix it. Part of the responsibility also rest with government agencies that perform inspections of facilities involved in the processing of food.
It is important to recognize there are varying requirements for all types of foods being sold to consumers. The main point in the processing of food is that there is need to have controls in place to guard against unhealthy conditions and products that create various food products. A company can have the safest environment and have the utmost concern for safety but they can still have problems. The reason for this is that many food manufacturers or producers do not produce all ingredients for their products and must rely on suppliers to furnish various ingredients. Safety verification must be in place at all levels of food manufacture and production. The Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration also have some responsibilities in this arena with regards to inspections. Granted food inspections are great but ultimately the responsibility for food safety rest with food manufacturers/producers. They must assure the food they are distributing for sale to consumers is safe. To do less can result in the recall of their products at their costs which affects their profits and security of their company.
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