Oct 20, 2011
Food Distributors and Manufacturers Require Food Recall Plans
Although the Bioterrorism Act that was signed in June of 2002 regulated Food Distributors and Manufacturers across North America to create and maintain records to identify the immediate previous sources and the immediate subsequent recipients of the food they distribute and manufacturer, many of them did not appear concerned of any consequences they might encounter if they did not have a plan to manage a Food Recall.
The new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that was signed by President Obama in January has caused a huge stir in the industry in that the FDA now has more power to enforce the requirements they have mandated. Along with that, consider the recall of sprouts, meat and most recently cantaloupe acrossNorth Americaand the industry is on edge just waiting for the next Food Recall.
When Food Decision Software first developed and released the Food Recall Plan Templates for use by the Food Industry over two years ago, we knew that more than 50% of all Distributors and Manufacturers worldwide requiring the ability to manage a recall did not have any plan in place.
Although the number is still very small compared to the total number of companies required to have a Food Recall Plan in place (approximately 420,000), Food Decision Software is extremely happy to announce that the Food Recall Plan Templates that were originally developed through the help of information provided by the FDA, FSIS, CFIA and other regulatory agencies in North America have been downloaded and viewed over 10,000 times. “We are very excited to be able to provide so many Food Distributors and Manufacturers with Recall Plans” said Victor Attard, President of Food Decision Software. “We never thought that we would have such an impact on so many food companies who are trying to comply with their regulatory agency.”
Since the release of the Food Recall Plan Templates, food companies both large and small from all parts of the globe have downloaded the templates. Some companies indicate that they already have a plan and just want to make sure they have covered all aspects of their Recall Plan. Most food companies who have downloaded the templates say they did not have a plan in place and are just trying to comply with the requirements. In either case, those that have been contacted by Food Decision Software indicate that the templates have helped them tremendously. “The FREE templates will remain available for download by any company in the Food Industry as long as needed” said Mr. Attard.
For many years our Food Industry ERP Software “WinFDS” has provided product traceability and reports in the event of a food recall. As our Clients required a Food Recall Plan, one was developed and incorporated into WinFDS. As a result of the favorable response we received from them, we now offer the Food Recall Plan Templates for free to all Food Distributors and Manufacturers.
|
