Food Safety and Produce AEC 317 November 13, 2013 Unit Two

Where did this tomato come from? How was it handled? How do I know it’s safe? I thought fresh produce was good for my health. Food Safety 2

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Focus of the Presentation Increasing link for consumers between food and health Increasing link for consumers between food and health Produce lightening rod Produce lightening rod Managing food safety Managing food safety –Government (FDA) –Industry supply chain strategies Marketing Food Safety Marketing Food Safety

Health Costs of Foodborne illness  A recent study estimated total health costs of food safety outbreaks at $152 billion in the U.S.  Physician services  Hospital services  Medicines  Quality of life losses oDeaths oPain and suffering oDisabilities This does not include agricultural losses 5

The big picture Between 6 and 33 million people affected by foodborne illness each year (all foods) Between 6 and 33 million people affected by foodborne illness each year (all foods) Post Sept 11 expanded to include biosecurity Post Sept 11 expanded to include biosecurity Deaths as high as 8,000 in a single year Deaths as high as 8,000 in a single year Main food safety challenges in produce Main food safety challenges in produce Pathogens (bacteria, etc.) Chemical residues Foreign matter (glass, staples, etc.) Pathogens by far the largest source of risk

The big picture Produce quality assurance regulated by the Food & Drug Administration Produce quality assurance regulated by the Food & Drug AdministrationFood & Drug AdministrationFood & Drug Administration 639 outbreaks and over 31,000 reported illnesses connected with produce 639 outbreaks and over 31,000 reported illnesses connected with produce Class I recall—The product poses a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Example: E. coli in spinach. Class I recall—The product poses a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Example: E. coli in spinach. Class II recall—The product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Example: undeclared milk allergens in soup. Class II recall—The product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Example: undeclared milk allergens in soup. Class III recall—The product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Example: Soda labeled “caffeine-free” is found to contain caffeine. Class III recall—The product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Example: Soda labeled “caffeine-free” is found to contain caffeine.

An interesting fact… There is no evidence that anybody has ever died from pesticide residues on food from lawful application of pesticides There is no evidence that anybody has ever died from pesticide residues on food from lawful application of pesticides

An interesting problem…. The science to detect the smallest threats is far ahead of the science to protect a food system from these threats The science to detect the smallest threats is far ahead of the science to protect a food system from these threats The degree of safety is highly subjective and hazards characterized more by “uncertainy” (the unknown) than by “risk” (observed actuarial). The degree of safety is highly subjective and hazards characterized more by “uncertainy” (the unknown) than by “risk” (observed actuarial).

Food Safety Rating By Kentucky Producers Source: Woods, 2003

Farmers Perceptions of the safety of produce in U.S. markets

Where do most food safety problems occur? Farmers vs Consumers

High risk Risk of Pesticide Related Death S R Q P O N M L

System wide supply chain priorities Percent of participants rating issue as a high priority IssueRetailerGrower/shipper Food safety Quality specifications Cold chain maintenance HACCP standards Inventory turns Vendor partnerships Product traceability Decreased order time E-commerce VMI Flow through/cross dock Source: Perisio, et al., 2001

Current Industry Best Management Practices Preserving the cold chain Preserving the cold chain Worker sanitation (clean, healthy workers) Worker sanitation (clean, healthy workers) Facility sanitation Facility sanitation Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) Implemented in most fresh cut and packing/shipping operations Implemented in most fresh cut and packing/shipping operations Lower inventories and accelerated time to market Lower inventories and accelerated time to market

Certification Many industry safety guidelines are voluntary Many industry safety guidelines are voluntary Third party certification Third party certification Hinton Strawberry Farms Hinton Strawberry FarmsHinton Strawberry FarmsHinton Strawberry Farms Primus Labs Primus LabsPrimus LabsPrimus Labs American Food Safety Institute American Food Safety Institute Signals of quality assurance increasing in importance to most retail and foodservice customers Signals of quality assurance increasing in importance to most retail and foodservice customers

Certification Global Good Ag Practices Global Good Ag Practices California Leafy Greens – toward a mandated order? California Leafy Greens – toward a mandated order?

Marketing Food Safety Growth in organics Growth in organics –Major retailers –Natural foods stores –USDA Eco-labeling Eco-labeling –Ecolabeling Standards Ecolabeling StandardsEcolabeling Standards Traceback systems – Radio frequency id tags – Dole, WalMart Traceback systems – Radio frequency id tags – Dole, WalMart Growth in direct marketing and association of ‘local’ with ‘safe’? Growth in direct marketing and association of ‘local’ with ‘safe’?

Marketing “Green” Packaging Recyclable containers

Marketing “Green” Packaging Recyclable containers

Food Safety Modernization Act (2011) Mandatory food safety programs for produce and other food processors Mandatory food safety programs for produce and other food processors Includes farm-level third party audits Includes farm-level third party audits Exempts small firms under $500,000 Exempts small firms under $500,000 Fairness and effectiveness questioned Fairness and effectiveness questioned