The Last Line of Defense
This issue focuses on the role of retailers and foodservice operators
in food safety: they are essentially the last line of defense before
food reaches the consumer. Beginning at the farm, food products
travel that complex route through suppliers, processors and
distributors, before ultimately landing on a shelf in a retail store or
on a plate served in a restaurant. Such a critical
responsibility for food safety necessitates a look at
the major trends affecting such operations.
In the cover story by Veny Gapud, M.S.,
entitled, “Food Safety Trends in Retail and
Foodservice,” we take a closer look at these
establishments, which generally have a wide range
of resources, both at the level of the employee and within variable
means of financial support. In light of the attention paid in the past
year to product recalls due to foodborne illness, to third-party audits
and to the perceived need to strengthen regulation of the global
food supply chain, this article discusses what both retail and
foodservice establishments are doing to provide safe food to their
consumers. It also includes a look at two retailers and their unique
approaches to inculcating the all-important food safety message at
all levels of their respective organizations.
This issue also provides an important tool for retail andfoodservice operations to adopt and employ, “Guidelines forConducting a Simulated Food Recall” contributed by Edward M.
Stevens of Stevens Baron Communications. He notes that in thefood and beverage industry, having a crisis communication plan issingularly the company’s best defense and makes the differencebetween a poorly and a properly handled crisis. The purpose of sucha food recall simulation is to determine whether the company’scrisis plan actually works.
The programs and suggestions described in these articles may notbe particularly easy to implement. Buy-in from top management forthe proper investment in food safety is an absolute requirement.
Additionally, the complexity of modern food production anddistribution networks makes ensuring food safety in retail andfoodservice operations exceptionally challenging. We at Food SafetyMagazine are giving you a leg up on succeeding in these verydemanding times.
Best Regards,Barbara VanRenterghem, Ph.D.
Editor
FOOD SAFETY MAGAZINE (ISSN 1084-5984) is published bimonthly byThe Target Group Inc., 1945 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201;
(818) 842-4777; Fax (818) 769-2939; E-mail info@foodsafety-magazine.com. Periodicals Postage Rate paid at Glendale, CA, andadditional mailing offices. Subscriptions: Free to qualified subscribersas defined on the subscription card; $85.00 per year for nonqualifiedsubscribers. Back Issues: $10.00 per copy, prepaid. Change of Address: Notices should be sent promptly; provide old mailing label aswell as new address. Allow two months for change. Editorial Contributions: Unsolicited manuscripts should be submitted to: Food SafetyMagazine, 1945 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201. Notice—Everyprecaution is taken to ensure accuracy of content; however, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for the correctness of the information supplied or advertised or for any opinion expressed herein.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Food Safety Magazine,1945 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201. ©2010 by The TargetGroup Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part withoutwritten permission is strictly prohibited. The publishers do not warrant,either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articlesor descriptions herein, nor do they so warrant any views or opinionsoffered by the authors of said articles and descriptions.
FROM THEEDITOR
CEO, The Target Group Inc. Don Meeker
Publisher Stacy Atchison
Back on her feet Bobby Meeker
Editorial Director Barbara VanRenterghem, Ph.D.
Art Director/Production Craig Van Wechel
Circulation Manager Andrea Karges
Sales Assistant Allison Demmert-PolandOffice Manager Vicki Martin
Publishing Office 1945 W. Mountain St.
Glendale, CA 91201
Main (818) 842-4777
Fax (818) 955-9504
customerservice@foodsafetymagazine.com
Editorial Office 1945 W. Mountain St.
Glendale, CA 91201
Phone (508) 210-3149
Fax (508) 210-3139
barbara@foodsafetymagazine.comProduction Office 1113 Ellis Street
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
Phone (970) 484-4488craig@foodsafetymagazine.com
Advertising SalesBobby Meeker (818) 842-2829bobby@foodsafetymagazine.com
Stacy Atchison (310) 745-0941
stacy@foodsafetymagazine.com
Adam Haas (407) 601-5440
adam@foodsafetymagazine.com