AP article finds little change despite E Coli outbreak
14th September 2007 by Alex Briggs
The Arizona Republic ran a story on a recent Associated Press study indicating that the anticipated wave of government and industry regulation following last year’s E Coli outbreak has not materialised.
AP’s review of data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act found that federal officials inspect companies growing and processing salad greens an average of just once every 3.9 years.
Food safety is an issue that will not go away. A combination of industry, government and voluntary regulation are needed. The mandatory implementation of ISO 22000 would be a good starting point, with independent verification of all voluntary and industry specific schemes following that. The benefits to the industry and the consumer would be a renewed sense of transparency and trust. With recent research showing consumers more willing than ever to pay more for products that are produced using greener and more ethical methods, it is safe to say that the additional costs of securing food supply chains and food safety could be shared between business and the consumer.
