Food safety is a shared responsibility. That’s why the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) is committed to advancing food safety practices throughout the food chain 365 days a year. Today, on #WorldFoodSafetyDay, AFFI announced the expansion of its Food Safety Zone to include a new Enteric Viruses Control Program (EVCP) aimed at preventing and controlling Norovirus and Hepatitis A throughout the global frozen fruit supply chain.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has established World Food Safety Day to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage food safety risks in order to promote the availability of safe food for all.
Prevent. Detect. Manage.
While foodborne illness associated with frozen foods is extremely rare, action needs to be preventative when it comes to food safety. It’s with this preventive action in mind that AFFI launched its Food Safety Zone in 2019 and continuously devotes resources to key areas of food safety, including scientific research, best manufacturing practices and education.
1)Lead with science
AFFI invests in scientific research to guide the development of best food safety practices to prevent foodborne risks from farm to frozen food facility to freezer to fork.
2)Develop and disseminate best practices
Based on science, AFFI works with its members and the broader frozen food industry to develop best practices aimed at control and prevention of foodborne risks. AFFI’s Food Safety Zone serves as a one-stop food safety resource for all frozen food companies. This website allows manufacturers to search for, access and incorporate food safety practices, created by food safety professionals FOR food safety professionals. The tools are available for download so they can be applied to the food safety plans of our industry companies.
3) Collaborate to educate
We must ensure consumers understand most frozen foods are intended to be cooked and to follow the package cooking instructions. There’s strength in numbers when it comes to sharing this knowledge. That’s why we collaborate with AFFI members and other organizations on educational strategies that effectively bring food safety messages to consumer audiences.
I invite every domestic and international food safety professional to utilize the best practices and related resources on AFFI’s Food Safety Zone. It’s this level of awareness and education that drives a food safety culture that empowers employees to make critical food safety decisions and take preventive actions to protect public health.
