Is Your Supply Chain Food Safe?

The Critical Role of Due Diligence in Protecting Your Brand and Customers

In today’s food industry, ensuring food safety across the entire supply chain is more complex than ever. At the recent Poultry Federation Meeting, food industry legal expert Shawn Stevens emphasized a critical point: the number one risk factor for recalls is a failure to conduct thorough due diligence on suppliers. A common mistake? Relying on phone orders without adequate investigation, which can lead to ingredient contamination and, in turn, costly recalls. For retailers and large manufacturers alike, the stakes are high, and the responsibility to ensure food safety extends beyond one’s own production line.

As regulatory agencies turn a sharper eye toward food production, legacy facilities are under more scrutiny than ever. The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, with agencies shifting focus on to these older facilities and even pushing some out of business. It’s no longer enough to rely solely on third-party audits or basic certification schemes like GFSI. When it comes to protecting consumers, retailers and manufacturers must look deeper into the food safety practices of their co-manufacturers and suppliers.

The Current Climate: Recalls and Pathogen Outbreaks on the Rise

A wave of recent pathogen outbreaks and recalls has revealed weaknesses across the food supply chain. Issues often trace back to legacy facilities and outdated equipment, that are difficult to consistently clean to a microbiological level. For trusted co-manufacturers and suppliers, this is a wake-up call to prioritize not just their production capabilities, but the full scope of food safety measures that protect consumers.

Intensified Regulatory Scrutiny Calls for a Proactive Approach

The USDA and other regulatory bodies have placed the food industry under intense stress, leading to significant changes in expectations around environmental monitoring, sanitation programs, and hygiene practices. Many companies are now enhancing their environmental monitoring programs and increasing their focus on proactive sanitation measures. This “whiplash effect” in the industry raises the question: Is your sanitation provider equipped with the knowledge and expertise required to protect your brand?

Beyond Sanitation: Expertise in Comprehensive Pathogen Control

At Fortrex, we know that effective food safety requires much more than sanitation alone—it’s a multifaceted approach to pathogen control. We apply the Microbial Control Equation to address every angle of environmental control:

• Hygienic Zoning: Clearly defined and managed zones prevent cross-contamination.
• GMPs and Controlled Conditions: Prevent pathogens lurking in the environment from gaining access to food contact surfaces.
• Sanitary Equipment and Infrastructure Design: Design and maintain equipment and facilities so that they are easily cleaned and inspected.
• Effective Sanitation Programs: Thorough cleaning procedures, including our validated 8-step sanitation process and a comprehensive Master Sanitation Schedule, helps control pathogens.
• Verification Programs: Robust verification measures create assurance that food products are safe.

With a skilled sanitation team and support from our technical service experts, we can help you identify and address the sources of contamination quickly, preventing potential recalls, regulatory hurdles, and loss of customer and consumer trust.

Do Your Food Safety Partners Meet This Standard?

As food safety risks and regulatory pressures grow, it’s essential to ensure that your co-manufacturers, suppliers, and sanitation providers are true partners in food safety. At Fortrex, our commitment to knowledge, experience, and innovation extends beyond basic sanitation to include the critical expertise needed to ensure a safe and trustworthy food supply chain. With comprehensive pathogen control strategies, we’re here to support you in safeguarding your brand and keeping customers safe.