Dive Brief:
- Scientists from Mars Inc. and IBM Research are tracking the "microbiome" of food to make the food supply more safe, according to a report.
- Scientists are sequencing the DNA of the bacteria living in and on foods, with the goal of tracking this genetic data for foods across the global supply chain. Scientists will then use data to explore how bacteria interact, which could produce innovative ways to look at and manage food safety throughout the supply chain.
- Everything from soil conditions to processing methods can affect the bacteria contained in a food product, "making the collective DNA of its microorganisms a detailed and unique record of its path to the plate," according to Food Processing.
Dive Insight:
As FSMA rules take effect and manufacturers begin updating and documenting their food safety protocols, innovations in food safety detection and management will continue to be more commonplace. DNA and genomics have been the subjects of these developments, such as Veriflow from Invisible Sentinel, which detects pathogens, or Clear View from Clear Labs, which compares genetic markers with its own massive database to determine qualities like microbe or allergen contamination or a food's authenticity.
Food safety is not something manufacturers can ignore or put off as FSMA preventive requirements take hold and as other areas of the government, such as the Department of Justice, have vowed to crack down on food safety infractions. This could lead to investigations, as Blue Bell now faces; lawsuits, such as the settlement ConAgra reached last year; or criminal punishment, which former Peanut Corporation of America executive Stewart Parnell is currently appealing.
As for how to best invest in food safety, that depends on budget constraints, product type, and facility and equipment usage and setup, among a host of other factors. Manufacturers are taking closer looks at products and supply chains to identify problem spots, which could be unique to that company or facility, and develop protocols to fix or prevent any issues.
Options like DNA and genomics are promising, but it's obviously up to an individual company to make a smart investment. That's where an individualized approach to food safety comes in, though the resources provided by the FDA per FSMA requirements are a key place to start.