Food Protection Trends - October 2012 - (Page 560)

“From Your president” ast month, I was privileged to speak at the Association Quebéciosé pour l’Innocuité Alimentaire (AQIA, i.e., the Quebec Association for Food Protection) annual meeting, the theme of which was Sanitation in the Food Industry: Preventive Measures and Validation. My close food safety friends know that I am a very strong advocate for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles as an effective food safety management system and I have spent countless hours drafting text on hazard analysis principles, identifying true critical control points that are essential for food safety, setting effective operating and valid critical limits, and helping to write HACCP plans that operators, managers and inspectors can understand. What even these close friends may not have experienced is my equal passion for the need of solid foundational programs to support the HACCP system – such as potable water, sanitation, pest control, training, etc. I applaud the AQIA for taking on a topic that is fundamental for food safety and for providing practical information that can be applied every day to help ensure a safer food supply. The U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act identifies sanitation and other preventive controls as required elements in a food safety plan.This is certainly not a new concept. In fact, when IAFP was founded in 1911 as the International Association of Milk and Dairy Inspectors, construction and sanitation of dairy equipment was a main focus, in addition to animal care and milk handling from cow to consumer. The U.S. FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices regulations, the Codex Alimentarius General L By KATIE SWANSON PRESIDENT “Food protection in a global food system is a complex issue that requires input from multiple perspectives” Principles of Food Hygiene and other regulations and guidelines clearly identify the importance of sanitary design and procedures, water quality, pest control, personal hygiene and other basic preventive controls as essential components of an effective food safety system. In addition to regulatory requirements, several drivers are increasing the need for an enhanced focus on sanitation: First, food processing facilities today can produce products that reach millions of consumers around the world – a small mistake can have a very large impact. • Second, as a result of a global food supply, increased distribution times may require more effective sanitation practices to support longer shelf life and minimize product spoilage before reaching the consumer. • Third, we have an aging population and others with suppressed immune systems – the numbers are growing and these individuals need a safer food supply than the “general” population. • Fourth, we know that microbial pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can become established and persist in food facilities. Effective sanitary design and programs are essential to keep these pathogens at bay to minimize the potential for product contamination. • Finally, improved surveillance systems such as PulseNet and the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) can detect contaminated product that was previously undetected, helping to remove hazardous food from the food supply. Food protection in a global food system is a complex issue that requires input from multiple perspectives. When IAFP’s founding fathers came together in 1911, they were • 560 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | OCTOBER 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - October 2012

Food Protection Trends - October 2012
Contents
Sustaining Members
From Your President
Commentary from the Executive Director
The CHEF Project
Characteristics of Food Contact Surface Materials
IAFP 2012 In Review
Award Winners
Black Pearl Award Winner
Ivan Parkin Lecture
John H. Silliker Lecture
Travel Award for State or Local Health or State Agricultural Department Employees
Student Travel Scholarships
Minutes of the 2012 Annual Business Meeting
Committee Minutes
Executive Board Response to Committee Recommendations
Silent Auction Results
Exhibitors of IAFP 2012
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
Coming Events
Advertising Index
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Membership Application

Food Protection Trends - October 2012