Dive Brief:
- Technology advancements haven't yet been able to create something retailers can use to remove all pathogens on items in the produce department, but new developments and analytics have brought the industry closer to that goal, according to an article in The Packer.
- The Produce Traceability Initiative, a joint effort of industry groups in the U.S. and Canada to maximize product traceability, is making inroads in the industry — though some say it still struggles to synchronize buyers’ demands with food safety concerns.
- Increased testing for pathogens throughout the supply chain, potential government regulations for more documentation, and more work on traceability could be the next steps to improve produce department safety.
Dive Insight:
Despite action taken by organizations like the Produce Traceability Initiative through the years, there’s no way to ensure that food — especially produce — sold in grocery stores is 100% safe. With more than 3,000 state, local and tribal agencies that regulate the retail food and foodservice industries in the U.S., creating a unified system is difficult.
Retailers don’t have many more resources to safeguard consumers than any other part of the food chain. They are, however, the segment that would likely see the most backlash if a consumer were to get sick from produce purchased in-store. If word got out that a certain retailer's produce had sent someone to the hospital, that could push consumers to find a new store altogether.
Third-party food safety audits and mock drills can both strengthen retail brand protection and service consistency. Mock drills can keep store employees at the top of their game if an emergency hits, and audits can establish benchmarks, identify areas needing improvement, and help ensure regulatory compliance.