Prevent Food Recalls

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Editor’s Note: The following content was extracted from an article titled ‘A Uniform Way to avoid Class 1 Recalls in Food Production’ by Clean Rental.

Contamination of products produced in food processing plants is a major cause of public health risks. Food recalls can destroy a brand too – remember what happened to Topps Meat Company in 2007?

A food recall can potentially cost food company millions of dollars from lost sales, the recall execution process, and brand reputation management.

To prevent food contamination and food recalls, food manufacturing plants should be proactive when it comes to public safety. A public safety initiative can be reached through the implementation of a company-wide voluntary compliance with food inspection and preventative controls that adhere to the standards set by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The Importance of Clean Uniforms

Safe food processing starts with your food plant employee uniforms. Make sure your uniform company uses laundering methods that meet Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) with a uniform wash cycle that includes uniform sorting based on soil level, color or material, food industry specialized wash formulas and finishing processes, and poly bag options.

Your food processing uniforms should be hygienically clean and sanitized. Depending on your food manufacturing process, uniforms may include butcher coats, coveralls, jackets, pants, clogs, or steel shoes and boots. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may include hard hats, hair nets, caps, visors, masks, rubber aprons, rubber gloves, or rubber boots.

Preventing a Class 1 Recall

Class 1 recalls are most often due to bacterial food contamination and pose the greatest potential to have a negative impact on public health, sometimes causing death by food poisoning. The most common bacterial contamination comes from E. coli, Salmonella, Coliform, and Staphylococcus. The foods most susceptible to bacteria contamination include eggs, milk, chicken, meat, soups, and sauces.

It is imperative for food processing plants to demand quality assurance at all levels of food production, starting with food manufacturing employees.

Employees can inadvertently contaminate food with poor personal hygiene and the insufficient cleaning of food processing equipment. The key to avoid a Class 1 recall is to set clear standards.

A food recall is the last thing a food processing company wants as the negative impact has an exponential reach. By setting standards and educating your food processing workers,
you will be well on your way to meeting food processing regulations and preventing a Class 1 recall.