Supply Chain Collaboration: A Small Step For Companies, A Giant Step For Food Safety

By Greg Sommerville, Director of Supply Integrity, McCormick Global Ingredients Limited

Collaboration between businesses should be the next big leap in a transparent supply chain, allowing a paradigm shift in managing dynamic global supply chains, ensuring industry safety, and further building the trust of the consumers.

To feed an ever-growing population, the global supply chain is the new normal. Whether it’s garlic from China, kiwi from New Zealand, or beef from South America — a robust global supply chain helps locals where goods are shipped, to thrive.

Globally, populations are becoming more international, travel is becoming easier and cheaper, and the flow of information arrives on a mobile device. Further, consumers are demanding ingredients that they have tried on holiday, seen on the food network, want for their new diet, or believe their ancestors ate. Yet, one thing remains the same: consumers expect a high degree of safety in everything they consume.

No matter what, the consumer remains king — they can ultimately spell the demise of a company through their decision to boycott a brand or food item. An issue with a small, non-branded product could adversely affect industry leaders, lead to further testing and more control from regulatory authorities, or even trigger a boycott of the category.