Fresh-Cut Processor Session:

The Image of Fresh-Cut and Legislative/Regulatory

RamificationsSponsored by:

United Fresh Public Policy Conference, Washington, DC, September 15, 2010

By Edith Garrett

  Fresh-cut produce has been a product leader since the early 1990’s

  Today, processors have improved safety: ◦  Fields are contracted and grown specifically for

fresh-cut; some fields are tested for pathogens before harvest; HAACP used in processing ◦  Processing facilities are continually being upgraded

with new technology, new sanitizers ◦  Commodity-specific food safety standards are

targeted for high-risk commodities

  Product Recalls are Costly – 2009 peanut recall cost $500 million, total cost $1+ billion

  Related Products are Affected – 2006 spinach recall cost the industry $175 million

  Mistakes Impact Innocent Industries – 2008 tomato outbreak actually came from jalapenos but cost the tomato industry $100+ million

  Lost Time, Lost Productivity Costly – ill people out of work; workers in response mode; regulatory response; related product response

  Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) established metrics, audit process, certification (2007). Science-based, government audited, industry supported.

  Tomato Metrics were launched (2010) with audit process in Florida and California. Science-based, government audited, industry supported.

  Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are being developed with growers, buyers and auditors involved. Goal is for a science-based standard, using commodity metrics, audited by accredited companies, conducted by certified auditors for growers in North America (2011).

  Pathogen Hurdles – adhering to field metrics; improving product handling in processing; testing and use of new sanitizers and washing techniques; better temperature control

  Training – provide continuous training for employees and other supply chain handlers

  Supply Chain – focus on supplier approval processes and traceability systems

  Research on Pathogens – support research into sources, survivability, sanitation

  Increase Inspections – with most facilities registered, methodically visit their operations

  Work With Other Agencies – communicate more, eliminate redundancy, share expertise, hire states to implement efforts on the ground

  Reprioritize Efforts Annually – use data and experiences such as tomato/jalapeno outbreak

  Research – promote and support research   Education – educate the public, retail and

foodservice employees, regulatory auditors

Fresh-cut Produce   Fresh-cut produce is not a raw agricultural

commodity (RAC) and must comply with food cGMP regulations

  Important to consider fresh-cut produce in modernized GMPs –  Growing market demand –  No “lethal step” –  Potential for pathogens to survive or grow –  Outbreaks/illnesses linked to fresh-cut produce

David Plunkett Center for Science

in the Public Interest

United Fresh Workshop Sept. 15, 2010

CSPI Background Nearly Four Decades of Consumer Advocacy

Bi-national consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 by Michael Jacobson, Ph.D.

  Focuses on nutrition, health and food safety

  Publishes award-winning Nutrition Action Healthletter

  Represents 900,000 subscriber/members in the United States and Canada

  Accepts no government or industry funding

CSPI Activities Improving Food Safety Laws and Regulation

  Lobbies for strong food safety laws   Food Safety Enhancement Act   FDA Food Safety Modernization Act   Restaurant grading (state and local)

  Petitions government action   FDA Produce Standards 2006

  Shapes food regulation   FDA Produce Safety Standards 2010

  Works collaboratively on new laws   AFDO Model Code for Produce Safety 2009

CSPI Reports Publishing Food Safety Attribution Data

CSPI maintains an outbreak database and publishes the annual report, Outbreak Alert!, a source of useful information for:

  Food safety risk rankings   Government risk assessments and

regulatory proceedings   Industry hazard analysis

Produce Outbreaks & Illnesses Public Health Impact from Tainted Produce

Source: Outbreak Alert! Database 2009. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Produce v. Other Foods Average Illnesses Per Outbreak 1990-2007

Source: Outbreak Alert! Database 2009. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Fresh Products E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreaks 1990-2007

Source: Outbreak Alert! Database 2009. Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Impact on Confidence Consumers Lost Confidence in the Safety of food

  Food safety is the No. 1 worry for CSPI membership

  78% believe that food is less safe today

  48% say their confidence in the safety of food has declined in recent years

  58% say bacterial contamination of food worries them a great deal, and 55% say recent news has made them less confident in the safety of food Sources: 2009 polling by CSPI, University of Minnesota, Consumers Union, Hart Research

Outbreaks Drive Declining Confidence Numbers

Source: University of Minnesota Food Industry Center; Louisiana State University AgCenter

Impact of Outbreaks on Markets

  Lessons from the tomato warning of 2008   One-third of those who ate tomatoes before the warning

stopped after hearing it   Almost half of respondents could not identify the affected

tomatoes   23% had not returned to eating tomatoes at the time of the

interview Source: Rutgers Food Policy Institute 2009

Source: Food Marketing Institute 2007

  Spinach recall of 2006   71% stopped buying spinach and

16% stopped buying lettuce

Who Consumers Hold Responsible for Safety

  Ranking responsibility for ensuring safety   41%: companies that wash and package produce   41%: government food safety agencies   36%: food growers/farmers

  Government oversight strongly backed   89% support more government authority to require safety

measures   90% support federal standards for produce growers

Sources: July 2008 Pew Food Safety Survey

Sources: July 2009 Hart Research

Bottom Line Consumer Expectations For Fresh/Whole Produce

  Consumers expect food they buy to be safe. [Period]   Outbreaks erode confidence, and over time reinforce

attitudes about safety   Consumers may not differentiate between producers

of similar produce items when responding to news of an outbreak

  Safety during production is a joint responsibility of industry and government

  When the market fails to provide safe food, consumers will seek government intervention

Thank you!

Contact Information

David Plunkett Senior Staff Attorney

Center for Science in the Public Interest 1875 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 300

Washington, DC 20009

Phone: (202) 777-8319 Fax: (202) 265-4954 E-mail: dplunkett@cspinet.org

On the internet: www.cspinet.org and www.safefoodinternational.org

Fresh-Cut Processor Session:

The Image of Fresh-Cut and Legislative/Regulatory

RamificationsSponsored by: