IDDBA Launches 'Safe Food Matters!' Campaign

MADISON, Wis. — This year, the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) is conducting a year-long food safety initiative campaign called Safe Food Matters! to build awareness of safe food practices and serve as an industry resource for food retailers, manufacturers, and their employees. The Initiative will focus on best practices for decreasing the potential for Listeria monocytogenes growth and cross-contamination, particularly for deli ready-to-eat foods.
                                                                                                                                       
Did you know that approximately 1,600 individuals contract Listeriosis annually in the United States, with 260 dying from the foodborne illness?[i] Are you aware that related economic costs are almost $3 billion, without even factoring in food industry repercussions such as loss of consumer confidence, associated recall expenses, or litigation expenses?[ii]

The statistics are very sobering. Listeria monocytogenes is a deadly serious concern that can have devastating consequences on customers’ health and store operations. Taking the proper steps in educating retail service associates on safe food handling, cleaning and sanitation procedures, equipment maintenance, and good employee practices, however, can help reduce the possibility of Listeria growth and cross contamination in perishable service departments.

“Listeria monocytogenes can literally shut down your food retail business, making it one of the most potentially disastrous foodborne contaminations your stores could face,” said Mike Eardley, President and CEO, IDDBA. “By promoting awareness within the industry and providing resources for retail operators and their employees, IDDBA is expanding its leadership role in addressing this important food safety topic.”

Current and planned programs around the Safe Food Matters! campaign include:

•         A free ServSafe® certification class for attendees of the Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo held this June in Atlanta.

•         Member reimbursement (up to $2,000) for food safety certification of dairy, deli, and bakery associates.

•         New free food safety courses at training.iddba.org.

•         New custom research that explores consumer attitudes about food safety in the dairy, deli and bakery departments.

•         Food safety speakers slated for the Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo in Atlanta, GA, June 7-9, 2015.

•         A new food safety resource page at iddba.org/safefoodmatters, where industry professionals can access employee training tools, a food safety certification reimbursement program, industry white papers, research, and a calendar of upcoming Initiative events. 

“Food safety and controlling Listeria monocytogenes contamination are critical issues for retailers, especially in regards to deli ready-to-eat foods,” said Mary Kay O’Connor, VP, Education, IDDBA. “IDDBA’s Safe Food Matters! Initiative and training and education programs support companies that want to help safeguard their customers’ well-being and make safe food practices a distinct expectation of their business.”

According to O’Connor, IDDBA retail members can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per year for food safety certifying their dairy, deli and bakery staff. An IDDBA retail membership is $200. “This is just one example of how our nonprofit association leads the way in providing quality food safety information and training to the industry. And most training is free.”

To learn more about IDDBA’s Safe Food Matters! campaign, visit iddba.org/safefoodmatters.