This presentation is a case history of how ASR Group developed a robust Food Safety Management System for their Supply Chain
Problem: The global food supply is becoming more complex and food safety has become a challenging issue. This unprecedented event of Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of bioterrorism, agro-terrorism, food fraud, food adulteration, food recalls and other food safety incidents have exacerbated consumers’ confidence in food supply safety. Food businesses all over the world have reassessed their internal and external environmental factors in the context of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks to enhance their supply chain deliverables in the safest possible manner and maintaining compliance to regulatory requirements.
Objective: Develop a robust Food Safety Management System in Supply Chain. As the saying goes, “Every chain is only as strong as its weakest link”, we cannot afford to have a weaker link in our food supply chain. It is very important that all links in the supply chain have robust food safety management system. Since our government focuses more on food safety prevention through the enactment of various federal regulations such as FSMA and Bioterrorism Act 2002, FDA 2022 Food Code, at the same token, food producers, manufacturers and handlers should also do.
Methodology: A risk-based preventive approach must be developed to leverage any food safety program that is utilized by the food industry. Food Safety Plans such as HACCP must be implemented to identify and address any type of hazard (biological, chemical, physical, radiological) that may occur at a food facility that produces, processes, packs or holds food items. Each part/member of the food supply chain must understand and address key areas in their food safety program. Only when these critical areas are identified, understood and addressed, then we can manage the food safety program well and mitigate any risks involve.
Conclusion: Management of the food safety program must comprehend the entire food supply chain upstream and downstream, i.e., from farm to consumer. It is vital that all links in the food supply chain have robust management system. Supply chain is a partnership between a supplier and a customer. The risk-based preventive approach enhances all strategies and programs in place within the supply chain partners. When this partnership is stronger, then we can achieve an effective assurance of food safety.