Downers Grove, IL - A number of smaller food companies are turning to industry leader ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods for guidance regarding fast- approaching compliance deadlines for new food safety government regulations.
ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods recently sponsored a food safety workshop for smaller companies as a means to provide them with hands-on instruction and insight on implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) food safety systems. HACCP is a food safety system that monitors the food production process from beginning to end, emphasizing preventive measures to ensure food safety.
"At ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods, food safety is our No.1 priority and we have consistently followed HACCP guidelines -- even before the government mandated food company compliance -- to ensure we deliver the safest food products," said Tim Harris, president and chief operating officer, ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods. "As an industry leader, we believe it is our responsibility to share our expertise with other companies."
By Jan. 25, 1999, companies with 10-500 employees will be required to comply with the food safety regulations outlined in HACCP. About 70 people from 40 ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods co-packers and suppliers attended the Oct. 7-9 workshop, which was co-sponsored by the Food Processors Institute.
To ensure that small food companies are ready for HACCP next year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a request to larger food companies -- help the USDA prepare the smaller, less-experienced companies by sharing knowledge.
"I commend ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods for what it has accomplished with this workshop and for being so open and helpful," said Barbara Masters, branch chief of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). "ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods is a leader that continues to share its learnings and provide guidance to smaller companies."
Food safety experts from ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods, the Food Processors Institute and FSIS led interactive discussions with workshop attendees about specific changes that must be made in food production processes to comply with HACCP principles. ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods quality assurance managers described their experiences with HACCP and provided step-by- step recommendations to attendees to help them prepare for the January implementation date.
People who participated in the workshop earned the necessary certification that allows them to effectively implement HACCP plans at their own plants. Government rules require plants to have access to someone who has completed a training program like the ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods workshop.
"ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods brought up issues -- such as critical control point monitoring procedures -- I had never considered before," said Tip Top Poultry's Joy Sides, who also is a former USDA inspector. "I will continue to use ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods as an expert resource."
Participants said they found the workshop to be more beneficial than some other HACCP educational initiatives because of the focus on implementation rather than simply addressing the government guidelines to be followed.
Speakers and instructors at the workshop stressed the importance of safety through the application of HACCP.
"HACCP is just a beginning," said Ken Bestine of Better Baked Foods. "It is up to us to ensure the safety of our products. This workshop will help us work with the USDA to meet its expectations so we can continue producing safe, wholesome products."
ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods, a ConAgra company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded meat products. Based in Downers Grove, Ill., the company markets such brands as Armour, Butterball, Cook's, Decker, Eckrich, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National and Swift Premium.
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