[AIB Upfront] Food Safety Accountability

The food industry has made recent efforts to develop a harmonized audit scheme that both branded companies and retailers can agree on.

Multiple audits by many different manufacturing, retail and supply companies have caused confusion and are not always positive in ensuring that food safety systems are functioning to our satisfaction.

But lately I am concerned about the limits of some of the certification schemes. Many company executives seem satisfied that their food safety programs are satisfactory if their facilities achieve certification.

It appears they have faith that food safety is achieved if a plant has attained certification. In their minds, if they pass the certification scheme, they have met established industry standards. But, this could not be further from the truth. These certification schemes are designed to indicate that the elements included appear to be in place, but generally verification or validation of these schemes is not provided.

The schemes and audits to deliver them are all based on ISO-type rules and protocols. The audit length is based on the time it takes to review the programs and documentation. Little, if any, time is spent on the plant floor verifying and validating programs. Another restriction often overlooked is that most of these are announced audits, which allows the facility to prepare. This gives a false impression of the true status of the facility’s programs and documentation.

Another weakness I have noted is the correlating auditor standards. Quite frankly, few people are truly qualified to perform at the level we desire in auditors. Most auditor standards place the value on education and years of service, but focus less on in-plant experience.

Recent consumer polls indicate a decline in the level of confidence and trust consumers place in the food industry. Produce, beef and pet food products have gained negative attention in the past year because of major recalls. At this time, the food industry needs to be taking drastic steps that will ensure food safety is attained to regain consumers’ faith in our food supply.

Audit scheme certification is not an indication of food safety. True food safety requires assurance that Prerequisite Programs and HACCP are not only written programs, but are carried out in the plant and verified as effective at creating a safe food environment. Adopting a harmonized certification scheme that suppliers, manufactures and retailers agree on — but that does not require verification and validation — gives a false sense of security to those in our industry.

Understand that the audit is only part of the total evaluation. Inspections, floor-level program reviews, and knowledgeable personnel trained to identify, control and eliminate issues before they occur are the keys to food safety. These are corporate and facility requirements that cannot be forgotten.

We cannot rely on certifications to be accountable for our food safety programs. Faith in our systems is assured when verified by floor-level audits and inspections. Food safety must be verified because it is a non-negotiable agreement between the industry and consumers.

The author is Vice President of Food Safety Education, AIB International.