As bakers and snack producers settle into Food Safety Modernization Act compliance, the landscape is already changing to include consumer perceptions of what’s safe.
Federal prosecutors see the Peanut Corp. of America convictions in the food poisoning trial as a victory for consumers. They say they represent a stern warning to others who may be tempted to place profits over food safety.
The number of firms recalling product due to foreign material contamination has increased by 157% in the past six years. While metal fragments have been the leading cause, there have been several food product recalls related to plastic fragments.
On Sept. 26, the two owners of Jensen Farms, were arrested for shipping adulterated food in 2011. The charge was shipping contaminated cantaloupe, which resulted in the death of 33 people and sickened 147 people. The two brothers were arrested on misdemeanor charges of introducing adulterated food into commerce.