Urgent Need for Better Inspection

 We worried about the randomness and frequency of inspection during the pandemic.  Now, the outcry over the tragic infant formula case highlights other major concerns. According to  Faber, Environmental Working Group, “…we’re not inspecting enough food manufacturing facilities, and not making good enough use of the inspection resources we have.”

Climate Risk Mitigation

 Michigan State U research finds a correlation between corn exposure to aflatoxin and climate change. “Hot and dry conditions encourage fungi spores to be airborne, which increases their chances of contaminating crops.”  A strong case to speed up climate risk mitigation!

See Arjun Shanker Article in FOCUS Newsletter

 

See Arjun Shanker article this month in FOCUS newsletter:  Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – has ushered in several changes to the food safety approach of the country (including a comprehensive approach to tightening regulations).  Good sign of greater acceptance of FSSAI efforts to raise food safety standards in India. 

Isha Patel in FOCUS Newsletter

 
See Isha Patel article in FOCUS, this month:  “The goal of the FDA’s New Era of Food Safety Plan is to have end-to-end traceability throughout the food system.” Global supply chain threats likely to jeopardize FDA’s goal. 

Food Safety Developments in the US, 2020-22

The year 2022 marks two years since the start of the Corona-Virus Pandemic. Multiple lockdowns have affected various industries, including the agriculture and food safety industry. At the start of the year, the FDA and USDA adopted new changes in an effort to create a "new era of food safety” plan to tackle supply chain pressures, workforce issues, and more that resulted midst the pandemic.

Food Safety Developments in India, 2020-22

As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, countries are taking greater cognizance of their food safety processes. As a key agrarian nation, India too has taken proactive measures in tackling its health-borne risks, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) playing a key role. Using recyclable plastics for packaging, promoting rice fortification, newer food labeling mechanisms, effective produce licensing approaches, and more capacity-building measures, among several progressive steps, could foresee a more robust food safety ecosystem in the near future.

Women's Roles in Life's Substance

Women are responsible for over 50% of global food production and, deservedly, don’t want to only be identified on International Women’s Day as kitchen stalwarts.  But there’s no shame in applauding their central role In food safety, climate change consciousness, and the global food supply chain.  Every day is women’s day when it comes to life’s substance.