There are countless reasons food companies should invest substantial resources to produce a safer product. When companies sell food products that make people sick, it can have a substantial impact on the company’s bottom line. In addition to the inevitable loss of business and scrutiny from regulators, costly litigation will always result. But those aren’t the only consequences companies now face when outbreaks occur. Under the new Human Illness Standard, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching criminal investigations against food companies whenever their products cause an outbreak.
Last month, I participated in a panel at the Food Safety Summit in Rosemont, Ill., with Jeffrey Steger, assistant director of DOJ, Consumer Protection Branch. During his remarks, Steger told the audience that, following any foodborne illness outbreak, the agency is now using criminal investigations as a tool to determine whether there is a basis to bring criminal charges against the company or its employees. This is happening with Blue Bell, Chipotle and Dole, all of which were involved in outbreaks recently.