LAS VEGAS - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced its new food safety process validation service at MEATXPO 2013, which provides a simple and transparent way for food manufacturers to comply with the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) requirements for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) validation, according to the manufacturer.
Under the final rule, the USDA-FSIS requires that establishments validate their HACCP plan’s adequacy in controlling food safety hazards and verify that the plan is implemented correctly. The rule also requires that food manufacturers reassess the adequacy of their HACCP plan at least annually and whenever any changes occur that could affect the hazard analysis or alter the HACCP plan.
“With increased scrutiny from consumers, media and regulation, delivering safer food products has become a top of mind issue,” said Hank Lambert, General Manager of UL Global Food and Water Businesses. “By leveraging UL’s expertise, food manufacturers can ensure that USDA-FSIS requirements are being met and their HACCP plan is implemented, enforced, and used daily.”
UL’s process validation service helps meat and poultry manufacturers meet the government requirements and safeguard against hazards throughout the supply chain. Trained UL auditors validate each component of the HACCP plan’s adequacy for both scientific documentation and practical demonstration. UL provides a detailed written report of the validation to establish that the plan is in compliance or address any gaps that may result in a food safety hazard. UL will work with the organization to recommend improvement measures, if needed.
UL will provide these establishments with a UL Validated certificate, which can be displayed in their facility to show that they are in compliance with this USDA-FSIS rule and are being pro-active about their food safety plans.