The food industry is now well and truly global. The major retailers over the last decade have been instrumental in driving compliance and food safety standards among their supply base. The Global Food Safety Initiative and related global standards now define how these requirements are met and have created a supply chain where certification is a prerequisite to doing business. As the dominance of retailers continues to increases and on-going food safety outbreaks raise the compliance demands even further, food processing businesses are becoming more aware of the of the importance of maintaining standards and the significant resources required to do this. This short presentation will address the trends and recent changes in global food safety compliance, the importance of maintaining standards and how food processing businesses can improve how they manage food safety effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of global retailers.
2. George Howlett, CEO Safefood 360 – Food Safety Management Software george@safefood360.com
3. Global Food Industry Global Food Industry Estimated value $2 trillion annually 125,000 processing plants in the USA Global supply chain Increasing dominance of multiple retailers 70% + of food retailed through multiples Global Food Safety Impacts Belgium dioxin scare BSE Irish pork dioxin scare German E coli outbreak
5. Retailers’ Compliance Framework Legislation National and international Minimum compliance Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Requirements find expression in the GFSI Global food standards – BRC, SQF, IFT, Dutch HACCP, FSSC 22000 Prerequisite to supply for most major retailers Retailers’ Technical Standards Builds on GFSI certification More prescriptive
6. Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Managed by The Consumer Goods Forum Set-up in 2000 by retailer CEO’s to rebuild consumer confidence Sets requirements for participating standards
9. GFSI Requirements Three Main Pillars of Food Safety Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Pre-requisite Programmes Management Processes
10. Trends & Recent Issues German E. Coli outbreak (EHEC O104) Outbreaks associated with bean sprouts - not a new phenomena Initially blamed on Spanish farms Brutally exposed the failings in the system. Events emerged quicker than authorities could interpret them. Difficulties in identification
11. Trends & Recent Issues GFSI BRC Issue 6 Evolution not revolution Expanded sections on foreign body control, hygiene and housekeeping, and allergens Focus on objectives and supplier control Introduction of a new voluntary unannounced audit scheme A reduced number of clauses to ensure each expresses a significant idea, this will contribute to consistency of grading as requirements are now of similar significance Simpler audit reporting Greater focus on GMP, PRP’s
12. Trends & Recent Issues Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Food safety and food defence requirements Application will be domestic and foreign Food Safety Plans – based on science Ambitious plans for certification and inspection Tight time-lines to meet objectives Resources?
13. Outcome German E. Coli outbreak (EHEC O104) EU policy response??? Retailers response – new requirements for the testing of produce? Will it trigger more resources for food safety? GFSI BRC Issue 6 Retailers consolidating their requirements with more rigorous enforcement Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Revolution of food safety control???
14. Meeting the Food Safety Needs of Retailers Perspective Retailers to increase dominance GFSI to continue as core requirement for doing business with retailers GFSI to emerge as main standard for supply chain compliance Large branded food companies to increase GFSI adoption for supply base Food safety compliance demands to increase Impacts Increase burden on resources of food businesses More money, time, knowledge and skills required Increased number of inspections, third party and customer audit
15. Meeting the Food Safety Needs of Retailers Identify the most appropriate GFSI standard Understand the requirements Conduct gap analysis Resource to meet requirements Apply resources in an intelligent way – risk assessment Implementation Review and audit Certification Maintenance
16. Barriers Supply chain characterised more by the gaps in compliance Compliance needs can often overwhelm staff responsible Lack of time and resources Lack of knowledge and skills Data and information difficult to source Consultants’ costs Changes in requirements Variation in interpretation Management indifference or lack of understanding Capital investments
17. Reality Check… Global issues – require global solutions Compatible with commerce Consistence science Communication of science – access and understandable Audit burden Application of IT and other technical solutions Standardisation of food safety management processes and work flows Food safety information – collection, exchange and analysis
