15 replies to this topic

[Scampi]

U.S. Product Recalls Reach Highest Quarterly Total in Past Five Years

 

https://www.qualitya...ast-five-years/

 

And we were told GFSI would change the world!!!!!!!!!

[SQFconsultant]

First, the majority of recalls are done on purpose, much like how planes fall out of the sky, etc - most are planned, part of an agenda, etc.

 

As far as the GFSI is concerned, it severed its purpose for the people that were the puppet masters and I predict is will fall within the next 3-5 years.

 

I suspect its schemes such as SQF, BRC, IFS, Global Gap, etc etc will also go bye bye and the good food companies of the world, the ones that actually care about their customers will move on with well thought out and robust food safety management and systems without the schemes that were for the most part driven by buyers working for companies that were part of the global K-Mafia (aka deep state, etc.)

[jfrey123]

The only thing missing from the article is who discovered the issues causing increased recalls:  the FDA or the manufacturers themselves.  If recalls are up but are mostly manufacturer driven, then it makes the case that GFSI is working and that manufacturers are catching things they could've otherwise missed (granted, a perfect GFSI facility makes food correctly the first time).

 

I also can't help but feel the FDA has dropped the ball in a few of the recalls.  Looking specifically at cinnamon recently, the FDA has no clearly defined limit and decided to defer to the newest established reports that caught the makers unaware.  They believed they were operating within an industry accepted range and the FDA came over the top to force a recall where a recall wouldn't previously have been triggered.  We need clear guidance on those types of issues, not decisions made on a whim.

[TimG]

If nothing else, it has helped up awareness and knowledge in the industry as a whole. I left the auto industry and moved into food manufacturing in the late 00's, and without a GFSI scheme to help them organize their FSP I don't think it would have been nearly as successful as it was (the FSP, not the company they got sold to BigSugar). I've used the knowledge taken from that position in several non-GFSI food safety compliance roles since.

Do I think the knowledge and structure could have been disseminated without GFSI schemes and certifications? Yes, probably. Making it a customer pushed requirement undoubtedly raised the bar for everyone though.

 

That's not to say I think the GFSI schemes are perfect by any means..

[Lynx42]

https://www.foodsafe...finds-listeria/

 

9.98 million pounds of RTE meat.

Almost 4 months of production.

Recalled after FSIS testing.

[Marshenko]

https://www.foodsafe...finds-listeria/

 

9.98 million pounds of RTE meat.

Almost 4 months of production.

Recalled after FSIS testing.

I hafta think that someone was engaging in post-lethality cooking of the books on this one...

[G M]

https://www.foodsafe...finds-listeria/

 

9.98 million pounds of RTE meat.

Almost 4 months of production.

Recalled after FSIS testing.

 

It seems strange that they recalled several months of production after one sampling failure.  

 

I wouldn't count it as evidence that GFSI is a charade though.  Do we expect 100% perfection, and anything less is abject failure?

[ChristinaK]

It seems strange that they recalled several months of production after one sampling failure.  

 

I wouldn't count it as evidence that GFSI is a charade though.  Do we expect 100% perfection, and anything less is abject failure?

 

The amount recalled could be a case of the "last documented good test result" strategy...which means they should probably increase their testing frequency.

 

Side note: It is frustrating to see the product list released doesn't provide pictures, barcode/UPC, or even a non-abbreviated version of the product name. When I looked yesterday, the company's website didn't have recall information posted anywhere. So I *do* think GFSI schemes (and FDA/USDA regulations) could improve by requiring more detailed information in the event of a recall that reaches retail consumers. That's part of "continuous improvement," though right?

 

In a global economy where countries can have vastly different regulatory requirements for food facilities, I think GFSI still has value because it creates a minimum standard of sorts. Now when the regulations finally start to catch up (if they ever)...we'll see I suppose.

[kconf]

Hi Christina,

Is this the list? 

 

https://www.fsis.usd...roduct-List.pdf

[ChristinaK]

Hi Christina,

Is this the list? 

 

https://www.fsis.usd...roduct-List.pdf

 

Yeah, that's the list. I don't believe it was included on the first recall announcement made on Oct. 8th. Maybe their retail customers know the item by the "Item Code"? But I've had customers IME who assign their own product ID codes, so who knows if the affected customers will know what that list means. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I think that recall notices that affect the public/consumers should be incredibly easy to access and to understand in order to be truly effective and protect the public health. Years of public speaking exp has taught me that short and simple text with clear pictures and/or example images (image of what the USDA logo looks like with the establishment number, where to look on the package for a lot code, etc.) will convey information better to the masses than a block of text, even if the text is descriptive.

[kingstudruler1]

https://www.foodsafe...finds-listeria/

 

9.98 million pounds of RTE meat.

Almost 4 months of production.

Recalled after FSIS testing.

 

Also BRC AA+ rated.   

[kfromNE]

Yeah, that's the list. I don't believe it was included on the first recall announcement made on Oct. 8th. Maybe their retail customers know the item by the "Item Code"? But I've had customers IME who assign their own product ID codes, so who knows if the affected customers will know what that list means. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I think that recall notices that affect the public/consumers should be incredibly easy to access and to understand in order to be truly effective and protect the public health. Years of public speaking exp has taught me that short and simple text with clear pictures and/or example images (image of what the USDA logo looks like with the establishment number, where to look on the package for a lot code, etc.) will convey information better to the masses than a block of text, even if the text is descriptive.

 

I agree with your statement for when items are for the general public.

However this recall only affects food service establishments/food service or other processing facilities. I bet the label was probably very generic and they emailed the list with more detail to their customers. 

That's what I've see other suppliers do. The facility may not know which specific lot codes went to specific vendors but they do know the item codes that were sent. 

[kconf]

It's sad that almost everything has come down to "eat it at your own risk" 

[kconf]

I found the list on the very website Lynx posted. 

 

A list of products subject to this recall can be found here. As yet no photos of recalled products are available.

[kfromNE]

I found the list on the very website Lynx posted. 

 

A list of products subject to this recall can be found here. As yet no photos of recalled products are available.

 

https://www.fsis.usd...2024-Labels.pdf

 

Photos now added. 

[ChristinaK]

I agree with your statement for when items are for the general public.

However this recall only affects food service establishments/food service or other processing facilities. I bet the label was probably very generic and they emailed the list with more detail to their customers. 

That's what I've see other suppliers do. The facility may not know which specific lot codes went to specific vendors but they do know the item codes that were sent. 

 

Looks like the updated list has pictures of the affected items that ended up sold at the retail level. I suppose for 2-3 days, that's rather good traceability speed (original butcher-distributor?-food product manufacturer-distributor again?-retail). From the brands it looks like the items hit Trader Joe's, HEB, ALDI, and Jewel (Albertson's).