Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.
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1) one in six Americans gets sick each year 2) 128,000 are hospitalized annually 3) 3,000 die annually These figures are from the FDA's Focus on Prevention, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, for which a Powerpoint is available at www.FDA.gov. FSMA legislation gave FDA explicit authority to enforce mandatory recalls if there is a reasonable probability that the food prod- ucts could cause harm to humans or animals. FDA has recently begun to exercise its new authority. However, Inmar's experience is that the new law has had little impact on the number of food recalls processed through the reverse supply chain. Historically, FDA has used a voluntary recall system to manage food risks to humans and animals. Mandatory recalls are processed in the reverse supply chain using processes similar to those used for voluntary recalls. Removing compromised food from the supply chain is a priority for both retailers and manufacturers and it's Inmar's experience that the food industry is largely compliant with FDA and its requests for vol- untary recalls. The new FSMA law has placed addi- tional burdens on food compa- nies. Food dis- tribution facilities must have written preventative control plans to proactively manage possible food safety issues. These facilities should also have written recall procedures to manage potential recalls efficiently and effectively. The reverse distributor is an important ele- ment in this process. It is critical for retailers to be assured that when any manufacturer or government-mandated safety recall occurs, the recalled product can be removed quickly from the retail shelves and, if necessary, from consumers. To help manufacturers in preparing recall procedures, Inmar created the following prod- uct recall best practices: 1) A detailed recall management plan or protocol, which includes mock recalls. This will ensure that an actual recall event is han- dled with the best interests of your customers and your company in mind. 2) A recall "point person" and recall team should be established prior to the recall event. Cell phone numbers and back-up personnel should be included in the recall team roster. 3) Notification to customers and consum- ers must be clear and concise and should com- municate the seriousness of the recall. Industry notification to all distribution channels should occur simultaneously. Notification templates can help speed the notification process. 36 JUNE 2014 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com Replacement product must be available to customers immediately. © iStockphoto/Thinkstock Inmar offers 'Best Practices' to remove recalled products quickly and protect public health. B y R I C H A R D S I E G Food Modernization Act Calls For Written Recall Procedures T H I R D P A R T Y R E F R I G E R A T E D L O G I S T I C S I n 2011, President Obama and Congress enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in an attempt to reduce the burden that foodborne illness places on the American people. According to FDA, as a result of foodborne illnesses: FLOG_36-37_0614 3PL.indd 36 6/12/14 8:59 AM