The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) responded to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of its Berry Food Safety Prevention Strategy, noting it aligns closely with AFFI-published guidance. 

Virtually every household in America enjoys frozen food and over a million servings of frozen berries are consumed daily in the United States.  

“AFFI and its members are driving real-time risk assessment and mitigation tools that push the frontiers of digital and AI-based risk management and that align with FDA’s Berry Safety Prevention Program,” said Alison Bodor, AFFI president and CEO. “We invite the berry supply chains to join AFFI members in implementing these tools across the global supply chain and creating the future of next generation food safety.”

AFFI and the Frozen Food Foundation are also at the forefront of enteric virus research aimed at improving detection methods and inactivation technologies. These projects mirror the areas of research identified by the FDA’s prevention program, and the Foundation and its research partners embrace the new program and will collaborate with FDA to ensure a safer food supply. 

While AFFI said it applauds the release of the Berry Food Safety Prevention Plan, it is also important to note the FDA’s Frozen Berry Sampling Assignment and associated report issued with the food safety prevention guidance have "significant flaws" that need to be corrected to ensure the berry industry and consumers have faith in the system and are adequately protected. For example: 

• AFFI strongly believes the testing generated “false” positive signals that led to unnecessary recalls, food waste and consumer confusion. 
• The report did not undergo review by an independent panel of third party, external food safety experts, a step that would engender greater confidence in the FDA’s testing and food safety recommendations. 

AFFI and its members will continue to engage FDA and advocate for further evaluation and appropriate improvements in future testing. 

“AFFI and its members are leaders in food safety, and we welcome additional focus on berry safety.  We ask that FDA follow generally accepted protocols when developing testing procedures and conducting analysis so that the agency provides complete transparency and engenders full confidence in the guidance it issues,” Bodor said. 

About AFFI
The American Frozen Food Institute is the member-driven national trade association representing all segments of the frozen food supply chain from manufacturers to suppliers and distributors. AFFI advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf, serves as the voice for the industry and convenes industry leadership to create an environment where frozen foods are essential in a dynamic marketplace.