SafetyChain Blog

This year has seen a significant rise in Form 483s following FDA site visits. Plant management is getting caught off-guard when on-site auditors fixate on items that seemingly weren't in the scope of previous audits. If the FDA sees a product on hold for something out of range, they may ask if internal food safety investigations are in motion and if appropriate action is being taken. 

The food and beverage industry is no stranger to changing regulations and requirements. However, the rapid evolution of today’s global food market and the rate of new food trends means manufacturers are constantly at risk of violating food safety standards.

The number one reason for food-related recalls is due to product labeling mistakes. These mistakes are typically a result of the ever-changing food labeling regulations that continue to evolve and become more complex, forcing many manufacturers to quickly update their current operating practices. Without the proper checks in place, incorrect product information is being sent out. The risk of a label error goes beyond a recall - if not quickly detected, it could impact consumer health (for example, an undisclosed allergen), damaging your brand reputation.

Manufacturers are always at risk of recall because at any time, at any location along the supply chain, the FDA may sample a product for contamination.  Recall preparation involves more input and supply chain alignment than HACCP plans. This is mainly because recalls have elements that manufacturers cannot control, whereas HACCP plans run on their own if production is stable.

In November, the FDA released the final Food Traceability Rule, detailing the requirements for record-keeping of foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL). The purpose of the Food Traceability Rule is to make it faster and easier for the FDA and other regulators to pinpoint locations in the supply chain where food contamination occurs. 

During a FSMA presentation covering updates to PFAS regulations, the Director of Food Safety at the Acheson Group, Dr. Brent Kobielush, shared updates to PFAS regulations in an effort to equip attendees with the information needed to operate their companies proactively and feel prepared for the future.

Quality and safety standards for the food and beverage manufacturing industry have been shifting as the world experienced unprecedented supply chain disruptions through the pandemic. From this disruption, the FDA and other regulatory bodies have adapted some compliance requirements to ensure a steady supply of safe and quality food while developing new regulations. It is crucial that manufacturers understand, prepare for, and implement policies to comply with these changing standards.

Most organizations understand the value of performing internal audits. The objective of auditing is to gain insights into your processes, help you maintain conformance, mitigate risks, and improve your operational excellence.

However, there are best practices you can incorporate into your audits to make them more effective, insightful, and useful to increase the likelihood of continual improvement.

Packaging manufacturers are faced with the challenge of balancing regulations, available materials, cost, and function to demand. This article will discuss packaging manufacturing regulations, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and FDA compliance to shed light on the many regulations that dictate the packaging industry. 

Traceability is a tool, and as such, it is not an answer or the solution; it’s a means of getting there. Companies often state that they wish to have greater traceability. It is crucial that companies identify what they hope to achieve with traceability because understanding the goal can guide them in how best to use traceability. As a tool, traceability can be an effective marketing technique or a way to authenticate a product. Companies can also use traceability to increase supply chain efficiency or facilitate simpler and easier recalls. Many companies are examining traceability as a way to improve in all of these areas. The technology exists to support all of these goals, but it is helpful for companies to clarify the goals first before attempting to implement traceability.