Lower Food Standards in the UK?

A counter-intuitive to kick off the week. UK Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has expressed concern that the UK Government is entering into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which will result in lowering food standards in the UK.  And here we thought the nub of the problem was BREXIT.  

 

Supply Chain Disruptions

 

Logistics Management study on supply chain disruptions.  A few takeaways: 1) bringing operations “closer to home;” 2) “global disruptions” increased shipper freight rates up to 71%; 3) very long lead times required; and 4) 83% re-thinking global supply chain operations.

Adverse Effects of Weather on Grain Production

New Food Magazine: “Changes in weather patterns, such as severe drought or flooding, can adversely affect grain production, whether it be on crop yield, quality, or risk of mycotoxin contamination.”

 

 

Good for Food Safety, but Bad for Yields and Food Security?

Another irony -- global surge in energy prices linked to grower cutback in fertilizer applications. Good for food safety?  Bad for higher yields and food security?

Food Under Attack

 Food Safety Magazine: “If or when adversaries carry out an attack of large magnitude, the result could be a massive compromise of food safety, food defenses, and food security.”  Food for thought!

The Significance of China’s Latest National Food Safety Standard Plan

Great article--The Significance of China’s Latest National Food Safety Standard Plan by Mingyi Liu, GIC Group analyst -- in new issue of GFSF FOCUS newsletter.  New entries reflect latest food ingredient issues and China’s climate and zero-COVID goals.  A welcome initiative in the face of the scale of the global challenge.

  http://globalfoodsafetyforum.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1013&action=edit

Food Safety Surveillance Capabilities

The Food Safety Administration Act draft legislation in the US reflects concerns over food safety surveillance capabilities.  Concerns mount in the face of global supply chain, food security issues, and trade restrictions.  And then there’s COVID!  Huge challenges ahead.