Andrew Lorenz

The industry needs USDA APHIS to step up and develop better controls that our farmers, ranchers and feedlots can implement to reduce pathogen load.

Industry can embrace opportunities to partner with USDA agencies and teaching kids in school basic food handling and preparation.

The industry needs to adopt a commonsense approach to controlling it before FSIS feels compelled to enact new regulations.

I am of the hope that, sooner rather than later, we can stop proclaiming each year “crazy” or “unusual” or some other superlative. What I wouldn’t give for a normal, easy, and successful year in food safety, where challenges weren’t so mountainous and issues weren’t new. 

Every year at this time, I pore over the CDC reports on foodborne outbreaks, FDA and FSIS recalls, death certificates from the CDC database, and more, looking for trends to see where we have been over the last 12 months and try to get a glimmer of where we are headed.

The last year was one for the record books in many ways. Never before had our nation’s meat and poultry processors been challenged to meet consumer demand in such intense and unorthodox ways.

COVID-19 has been brutal on the industry. We have seen major producers temporarily shut down, entire segments put out of business, regional disruptions and politicians getting involved in the manufacture and distribution of meat and poultry. I am not telling you anything you don’t know; we have all lived it.

What is an enforcement action? It is any action that results in an establishment being restricted from production. It includes tagging a product, piece of equipment, room, area or even an entire building. It also includes withholding the marks of inspection and/or withdrawing the assignment of inspection personnel.

Communication with your customers is critical! They must feel confident that you are providing outstanding service while at the same time implementing actions to protect them. Remember, perception is the key.