FSIS Sets Lofty Food-Defense Goals For Next Year
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
Though not a regulatory requirement, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service urges all food-making businesses — regardless of size — to adopt a food-defense plan
The latest Food Defense Survey, conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), shows only a one percent rise in the overall number of Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)-inspected facilities with a functional, food-defense plan in the last year. The number may seem dismal, but when looking at the steady increase from 2006 to 2014, the increase is a whopping 50 percent —much better than the popularity rating of many elected officials.
However, to put that into further perspective, the numbers from 2006 to 2009 include data only from meat and poultry processors. The data from 2010 to 2014 adds in official import inspection establishments and plants producing processed-egg products. A further breakdown reveals that the numbers from 2006 to 2008 account for facilities with a written, food-defense plan, while the data from 2009 to 2014 has upped the ante to those plants with a functional food-defense plan. The official survey actually only measures meat and poultry facilities, processed-egg product plants, and import-inspection stations. According to FSIS, the target for all facilities is 90 percent by mid-2015, which is when the next survey will take place. This purely voluntary, food-defense adoption is a performance measure in both the FY2010-FY2015 USDA Strategic Plan and in the FY 2011-FY2016 USDA Strategic Plan.
This raises a few questions. First, why — if it is a voluntary program — is it a measure of performance for the USDA? Voluntary, by its definition, means that it is not required; it is not regulatory, you do not have to do it. It cannot be enforced. Yes, it should be tracked, but should it actually be a measure of success?
Next, why does the survey exclude a large majority of processors? All food-processing facilities are susceptible to intentional contamination or adulteration by those who would wish to strike at the heart of America. If this is to be a measurement of performance for the USDA, should it not include all facilities?
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The FDA’s focus is certainly on all food-processing facilities. Through its Food Defense 101 program, you can access training as a Food Professional or as a Front-line Employee. The ALERT program, also voluntary, is presented by the FDA as a way to increase awareness of the potential for intentional food poisoning or contamination. From the Food Defense 101 educational program, you can also access modules on the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 (BT Regulations), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the FDA’s Reportable Food Registry (RFR).
Consider this: it is a voluntary program because the government has enough on its plate when it comes to regulating the food industry. The USDA is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to food safety. The consumer, while demanding transparency and safer food, is, at the same time, vocally against big government. Industry, in its attempts to balance food safety against profits, resents the government’s necessity to regulate its business. What’s the USDA to do?
Maybe we should be asking: What can we, as responsible, professional, food processors do to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s food? The answer: We can act like responsible, professional food processors and use the tools provided in order to do our part.