Demanding Safer Food
The blog over at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer recently posted about the growing trend of the government checking up on growers and even processors to make sure that the safest foods are hitting store shelves. The media covers the major outbreaks of foodborne illness, and sites around the blogosphere, including this one, attempt to make sure the public knows which foods are unsafe to consume. This puts pressure on growers and processors who often get bad publicity after a wide-scale contamination or outbreak. However, many farmers are now seeking third party verification to make sure that any chance of pathogenic contamination is reduced as much as possible.
The state inspectors in Washington do their best to check up on everyone to make sure that the USDA’s Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices are being maintained. The inspectors voluntarily audit growers and producers, but many wholesalers, including the federal government, are requiring certification that the growers and processors have passed inspection. Washington State has drastically increased the number of yearly audits, and the demand is expected to increase even more.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes that the audits include the following procedures:
- Field irrigation water tested for the presence of microbial
organisms - Measures to prevent livestock waste from contaminating crops and
water - Ability to trace back produce to a particular field and date of
harvest - Covered, clean trucks to haul all produce
- Potable water used for food processing and hand washing
- Proper storage and refrigeration of harvested produce
- Documented pest control programs in warehouses
- Proper sanitation training for farm workers and packing house
employees.
