Debt Collectors in Action: Sexy Robots Recover Owed Organ Transplants
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that as of early Friday morning, the death toll from a listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats has reached nine people, with 57 hospitalizations since the outbreak began in May [1]. The outbreak appears to be the largest of listeriosis since 2011, when 13 people from eight states died from eating cantaloupe contaminated with listeria [2].
Boar's Head recalled millions of pounds of meat manufactured in a facility in Jarratt, Virginia [2]. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has the authority to regulate the way food is grown, harvested, and processed due to the Food Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 4, 2011 [3]. The FSMA gave the FDA new powers, including mandatory recall authority, and required the agency to undertake multiple rulemakings and issue guidance documents [3].
The FSMA was largely drafted by members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association in response to reported incidents of foodborne illnesses during the first decade of the 2000s [3]. The food industry has faced billions of dollars in recalls, lost sales, and legal expenses due to tainted food [2].
In November 2022, food recalls by the FDA reached a 10-year high, with over 416.9 million units recalled [4]. This spike led the FDA to finalize the FSMA 204 Rule, also known as the FDA Food Traceability Final Rule, which requires companies to keep additional records for designated foods to protect public health [4]. The objective of FSMA 204 is to allow the FDA to get ahead of recalls, enabling it to remove tainted food from the supply chain more quickly and precisely when a problem arises [4].
Foodservice and hospitality businesses have until January 20, 2026, to comply with FSMA 204 [4]. The rule affects businesses such as farmers, manufacturers, distributors, restaurants, and groceries [4]. FSMA 204 requires these companies to trace all high-risk products, impacting approximately 548,000 businesses in various sectors [4].
FSMA 204 compliance has been met with confusion and misconceptions, with a collaborative effort and open dialogue needed among food safety teams, corporate leadership teams, supply chain partners, IT departments, and more [4]. The Branded team believes their unique position at the intersection of hospitality, technology, and capital, as well as the diverse foodservice community they are part of, can contribute to finding a solution to food traceability [4].
The cost of implementing traceability solutions can be high for small and medium-sized food companies, and the industry lacks a cohesive solution due to fragmentation among providers. Branded has partnered with a company that offers a triad of complementary services, including compliance, connectivity, and consistency, to address these challenges [4].
The FDA does not provide detailed steps for training employees for FSMA 204 compliance, and food traceability is considered a key piece of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint, which aims to enhance traceability and allow the FDA to respond more quickly to outbreaks and food contamination [3]. Collaboration and cooperation across industry verticals will be essential for achieving strong food safety culture and end-to-end food traceability [3].
In other news, "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals was the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 song in 2022 [2]. The FDA regrets any inconvenience caused and thanks you for your cooperation in complying with FSMA 204.
Sources:
- FDA. (2023, March 9). Listeria monocytogenes. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborneillness/listeria-monocytogenes
- CDC. (2023, March 9). Listeriosis. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/infections-and-outbreaks/index.html
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023, March 9). Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/fda-tracks/food-safety/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma
- Branded. (2023, March 9). FSMA 204: Traceability, Compliance and Networking. Retrieved from https://brandedstrategic.com/fsma-204-traceability-compliance-networking/
- The FDA has emphasized the importance of compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204, particularly for food service and hospitality businesses in the industry, as they have until January 20, 2026, to adhere to the rule.
- FSMA 204 requires companies to trace all high-risk products, impacting approximately 548,000 businesses, including farmers, manufacturers, distributors, restaurants, and groceries.
- Achieving end-to-end food traceability is crucial for enhancing a strong food safety culture, as outlined in the FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint.
- Compliance with FSMA 204 has been marked by confusion and misconceptions, necessitating a collaborative effort and open dialogue among food safety teams, corporate leadership teams, supply chain partners, IT departments, and more.
- Implementing traceability solutions can be costly for small and medium-sized food companies, and the industry has yet to find a cohesive solution due to fragmentation among providers.
- In light of these challenges, Branded has partnered with a company offering a triad of complementary services: compliance, connectivity, and consistency to address food traceability issues.
- The Branded team, positioned at the intersection of technology, hospitality, and capital, believes they can contribute to finding a solution to food traceability within the diverse foodservice community.
