Global Standards: What Do They Really Mean?

Posted: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 by Tina Brillinger

How do we define global standards? Do we concern ourselves about food safety in supply chain or just the areas we are involved in? At Modal Solutions, we are dependent on the immense knowledge of those who work in farming, food production, and food process and manufacture whose diligence and dedication is vital to the safety of our food supply. Given our expertise, we are going to zero in on one aspect of the food business where food safety and adherence to standards is a huge concern.

Opportunities exist for endangering consumers in the food chain; packaging, wrapping, conveyance and transportation of foodstuffs, all have critical hazards. Some questions need to be asked: Should food safety be recognized and policed effectively? How concerned about food safety are third-party service providers who move foodstuffs to market? Are they as thoroughly policed or inspected as you are?

Modal Solutions recently completed a two-year study into food safety standards in the food chain with an emphasis on adherence to food safety legislation by service providers and retailers responsible for food conveyance and transportation. The term “global standards” is almost non-existent. The term ‘global’ is clearly used as a convenient marketing tool rather than a serious attempt to support and ensure a common standard throughout all areas of the food chain, while auditing practices remain questionable and can range from quite detailed to a cursory ‘tick sheet’ approach.

We have encountered many situations where the service provider disregarded aspects of a ‘standard’ (one example was a BRC Audit), In this case they knew their audit would not uncover their lack of adherence to the standard.

So when does a standard override or preclude the need to adhere to local Food Regulations or Codex Alimentarius guidelines? This is relevant as we have spoken to many service providers who knowingly work only to the specific and written requirement of a standard. If it’s not stated in the standard then it is used as justification not to follow any other global, local or common sense guideline or regulation.

Many surfaces such as plastic trays, roll cages, shippers, dollies and shopping carts have been found to have widespread levels of pathogenic contamination. In some instances, H1N1, Enterococcus, staphylococcus, E.coli and moulds were found on surfaces which had the potential to come into contact with food, presenting significant and unnecessary risks. Our studies indicate too little importance is attached to food safety in conveyance or transportation, particularly in the UK and European mainland.

The adoption of HACCP procedures is both minimal and poorly policed, if at all. HACCP is largely regarded as a ‘necessary evil’ and something that needs to be recognized rather than seriously applied. The rigidity of application and disciplines observed prior to conveyance and transportation highlights the almost criminal extent of non-observance of disciplines thereafter.

Many service providers who have been made aware of food safety issues clearly know little of their food safety obligations, Codex Alimentarius or Food Safety Regulations as they are driven by cost and profit. The less they do the more profit they make. Nevertheless, service providers classify themselves as ‘experts’ in food conveyance and transportation.

It is difficult to believe that major Global Food Retail brands are blatantly disregarding these serious contamination issues and ongoing failures by service providers in their food chain. Retailers have little motivation to improve these standards as service providers crusade to minimize costs even at the expense of food safety. This approach still manages to meet the retailer’s requirement of lowest possible cost. As the tagline of one major global brand states ‘Every little helps’.

National Regulatory bodies continue to claim they are powerless to act unless and until there is a serious threat of an outbreak. So long as those involved with the conveyance and transportation of food continue to disregard food safety there is an increased risk to the supply chain and consumers who will continue to face more virulent strains of bacteria from a weakening defense system. Before we applaud “global standards” should we not be questioning whether the current standards are effective?

About the Author:

Larry Boulton is Managing Director of Modal Solutions, a leading European Supply Chain Service Provider specializing in the introduction of new technology and low carbon solutions.

Larry has over 30 years experience in the Supply Chain working with many Global Retail and Manufacturing Brands during a career as a Senior Manager and Director with some of the world’s leading Logistics companies.