No food processor would knowingly permit pathogens or other contaminants to enter the processing plant. Yet, when they allow packages containing outsourced food ingredients to be received without being sanitized, they take similar risks. The end result could be finished food products that were exposed to pathogens or other contaminants, potentially causing consumers harm, product recalls and ensuing consequences such as tainted brand names and even costly litigation.
“The packaging that contains ingredients for foods such as ready meals might have been exposed to any number of unwanted substances,” says Mark Corser, chief executive officer of CM Process Solutions, Corona, Calif. “This is particularly the case among U.S. manufacturers of ready meals and fresh foods such as sandwiches and salads, or heat-and-eat items such as fresh (unfrozen) pizza.”