What is a food manufacturer?
A food manufacturer is any establishment that produces food and beverages from one or more ingredients and sells these in the market.
Foul 5 Common Violations Food Manufacturers Are Guilty Of
Why is Food Safety Such a Big Deal in the Foodservice Industry?
Foodborne illnesses are one of the most notorious problems that affect public health across the world, and the United States in particular. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48 million Americans fall ill due to food poisoning and other food-related illnesses and about 3,000 people die every year. This has made the food industry one of the most-watched and regulated sectors when it comes to safety and public health.
In the United States, the restaurant industry is expected to reach a revenue mark of $898 billion by the end of 2022, which makes it one of the most important drivers of the economy. And food safety plays a crucial role in every arm of the industryfrom food processing and food manufacturing to packaging and storage, which are functions born of the food delivery segment.
There are several reasons why food safety is such a big deal in the foodservice industry. Firstly, customers expect safe food when they go out to eat. They don't want to get sick from eating contaminated food and they certainly do not want to die from it. Secondly, if there is an outbreak of foodborne illness linked to a restaurant, it can ruin the restaurant's reputation even if the restaurant isn't at fault. So it is critically important for restaurants to make sure their employees are properly trained infood safety measures and that they follow all necessary procedures to prevent contamination of food.
Food Safety Violations That Made the News
Food safety violations have risked Public Health a number of times in the United States and have led to several infamous foodborne outbreaks. Let us look at some of these incidents-
1. Jack in the Box, 1993
Jack in the Box hamburgers caused a massive E. coli bacteria outbreak across four states in the country. Four children were killed on account of it, while 732 people fell ill after consuming the contaminated meat in the hamburgers and 178 were left with permanent damage to their internal organs. This led to panic across the country and led to the downfall of Jack in the Box as a food service brand. The bacteria outbreak involved 73 outlets of the fast food chain across California, Idaho, Nevada and Washington.
2. Listeriosis outbreak, 2011
In 2011, 28 states across the United States reported a widespread outbreak of listeria monocytogenes food poisoning, triggered by contaminated cantaloupes. These cantaloupes were linked to Jensen Farms in Colorado. A total of 33 deaths were reported, along with 147 confirmed cases of food poisoning. The farm had shipped several batches of cantaloupes to 25 states, including California, Idaho, Arkansas, Arizona, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. It went down as one of the worst foodborne outbreaks in the United States in terms of the number of deaths, as measured by the CDC.
3. Taco Bell E. coli outbreak, 2006
In 2006, an E. coli outbreak from the lettuce served at Taco Bell affected 71 customers across five US states. The contaminated lettuce was sourced from California. A total of 53 people were hospitalized, with kidney failure reported in some of the victims.
Public health is a matter of grave significance, which is why foodservice businesses must do what it takes to keep customers safe.
Trouble is, they don’t often know what food safety rules to follow.
Food Safety Violation No. 1- Poor Hygiene
The most common food safety violation is failing to properly clean and sanitize contact surfaces that are part of the food manufacturing process. This food safety violation was cited in over thousands of restaurant inspections last year. Poor personal hygiene such as not washing hands properly or not wearing hair caps, not washing the utensils in between cooking processes, using unclean cutting boards, etc. often lead to contamination and spread of bacteria and viruses. These make improper hygiene one of the most common food safety violations restaurants are guilty of. Not only is this a major health hazard for customers, but it can also shutter your restaurant. Poor hygiene is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness and it's imperative that you do everything you can to ensure that your employees are following proper food safety procedures.
Food Safety Violation No. 2- Pest Infestation
Pests are a major problem for food service establishments. They can contaminate food and spread diseases, which is why it's important to keep them out of your restaurant. Common signs of a pest infestation include droppings, nesting material, and damage to food packaging. To prevent pests, practice good sanitation by regularly cleaning your premises and storing food properly. You should also have a pest control program in place that includes regular inspection and treatment as needed.
Food Safety Violation No. 3- Contamination
One of the most common food safety violations is contamination. Contamination can occur at any stage of food production and food manufacturing, such as farming, harvesting, transportation, and storage. It can also happen during food processing and cooking. Contamination can cause foodborne illnesses, which can be serious or even deadly.
There are many different types of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, chemicals, and metals. Some contaminants are naturally occurring, while others may come from human activities. Unintentional contamination can occur when food comes in contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, or when people handling food don't follow good hygiene practices.
Contamination can lead to people falling sick and developing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and headaches. In some cases it can lead to long-term health problems like kidney damage or neurological disorders. Pregnant women and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of foodborne illnesses because their immune systems are weak. The elderly and people with chronic diseases are also at increased risk.
If you run a restaurant, it's important to know how to keep your food and your customers safe.
This article lists the common food safety violations most foodservice businesses fall afoul of, to help you steer clear of them.
Food Safety Violation No. 4- Food Temperature
Food safety is at risk when food is not cooked properly, or when it is left out for too long at room temperature, where it may begin to spoil. Improper food temperature can lead to illness, as bacteria will begin to grow in perishable food products, contaminate them and render them unsafe for human consumption. To avoid this, be sure to cook all food, especially meat, seafood and egg dishes thoroughly, using a food thermometer to check that the item has reached the correct internal temperature. When serving hot food, maintain it at 140 F or above. When serving cold food, keep it at 40 F or below. Cooked food should not be left at room temperature or in the 40-140 F temperature range (also known as the danger zone) for prolonged hours as this is the most conducive environment for bacterial growth.
Food Safety Violation No. 5- Lack of Monitoring
Another common food safety violations is lack of monitoring during the different food processing stages. This means failing to monitor food temperature, employee hygiene, and cleanliness of the facility. All of these can lead to serious foodborne outbreaks. Monitoring is important because it helps a restaurant ensure that all food safety procedures are being followed correctly. Without proper monitoring, there is no way to know if something is going wrong until it's too late. If you're in charge of a food service operation, make sure that you have systems in place to monitor all aspects of food safety. You can't afford to let anything slip through the cracks.
What Can Food Businesses Do to Maintain Food Safety?
There are a number of things that food businesses can do to maintain food safety. First and foremost, all food businesses should have a written food safety plan in place that outlines how the business will ensure safe food handling practices at every step of the food preparation process. This may be a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan that should be reviewed and updated regularly as needed. Secondly, all employees who handle food must be properly trained in food hygiene principles and practices, and understand their role in ensuring the safety of the foods they prepare. Thirdly, adequate facilities and equipment should be available to support safe food handling, and these must be regularly cleaned and maintained. Finally, regular self-inspections should be conducted to identify potential areas of improvement with respect to food safety.
You want to make sure your business is on the right side of food safety laws.
These are the common food safety violations to avoid.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does food manufacturer mean?
A food manufacturer is a company that produces food and beverages.
What are the top 10 food companies?
1. McDonald's 2. Nestle 3. Coca-Cola 4. PepsiCo 5. Unilever 6. Danone 7. General Mills 8. Kellogg's 9. Mars 10. Hershey
Who are the top food companies?
The top food companies in the world are Nestle, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, Mars, Associated British Foods, and Mondelez International.