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With just under a month until 2024, we thought it would be beneficial to highlight some key developments from the food hygiene and sanitation sector in North America throughout 2023:
(a) Rising Cases of Foodborne Illnesses and Recalls
The CDC reports that foodborne illnesses annually affect one in six Americans, leading to 48 million cases of sickness, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 fatalities. Additionally, the economic impact is staggering, costing the US approximately $15.6 billion annually. Notable outbreaks in 2023 included:
- Packaged frozen strawberries implicated in a Hepatitis A outbreak, suggesting possible lapses in employee hygiene during packing.
- Raw oysters causing a Norovirus outbreak in restaurants and retail chains, pointing to insufficient food safety and sanitation protocols.
- Listeria monocytogenes illnesses linked to pre-cut and packaged lettuce from a processing facility.
Food recalls in 2023 showed a concerning trend. Allergens, bacteria, and foreign materials were the primary culprits. Mislabeling accounted for a significant portion of undeclared allergens, while contamination by materials like wood, metal, plastics, and even rodent droppings persisted. Reports suggest that 2023 might see more recalls than in the past five years combined. Examples include:
- A large-scale recall of raw milk cheddar cheese due to Listeria contamination.
- Packaged flour recalled due to Salmonella contamination.
- Oatmeal cookies pulled from shelves due to potential wood fragment contamination.
(b) Recent Audits and Inspections Highlight Sanitation Gaps
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9 transition audits began in February 2023. Significant non-conformities identified after nearly a year of certification audits included:
- Premises and equipment not being maintained in a clean and hygienic state.
- Non-food chemicals not being handled appropriately, posing contamination risks.
- Equipment not designed for hygiene, leading to potential contamination.
- Damaged doors, both internal and external.
- Walls not properly finished to prevent dirt accumulation and mold growth.
FDA inspections echoed similar findings. Top ten non-conformities in fiscal year 2023 included:
- Failure to maintain plant cleanliness.
- Inadequate pest control measures.
- Insufficient controls for preventing microbiological or allergen cross-contamination.
- Equipment not being hygienically designed or maintained.
- Poor facility constructionä¸åˆ©äºŽå«ç”Ÿæ“作.
- Inadequate cleaning and sanitization of critical surfaces.
- Lack of regular cleaning and sanitization based on risk assessment.
- Insufficient sanitation preventive controls.
- Improper storage and distribution of food.
- Poor management of the external plant environment.
For insights into FDA inspection trends over the last six years, check out our poster presented at IAFP 2023, which provides valuable data from fiscal years 2006-2022.
(c) Revised Canadian Listeria Policy
Canada's updated policy on Listeria monocytogenes for ready-to-eat foods took effect October 1, 2023. Replacing the 2011 version, the new policy focuses on sanitation factors like infrastructure, plant layout, equipment design, sanitation effectiveness, and employee training. Given Listeria's ability to form biofilms, proper manual cleaning is essential for removing stubborn soils and destroying early biofilms. Learn more about biofilm control in our white paper.
Looking Ahead to 2024:
(a) Focus on Cronobacter sakazakii
Following the 2022 US outbreak linked to powdered infant formula, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists has voted to include Cronobacter sakazakii in the CDC's notifiable disease surveillance system starting in 2024. Other pathogens on the list include Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Manufacturers of low-moisture products like infant milk powder will need robust environmental monitoring and sanitation controls.
(b) Regulatory Attention on PFAS
PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," are under scrutiny due to their persistence, toxicity, and contamination of water supplies. Their use in food contact applications is increasingly regulated.
(c) Updates to Global Standards
In 2024, updates to standards like FSSC 22000 Version 6 and IFS Food Version 8 will align with the latest GFSI Benchmarking Document 2020, emphasizing hygienic design and food safety culture.
As we celebrate Vikan's 125th year, we wish everyone happy holidays and a prosperous 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!