Whether it is microbial or pest concerns to be addressed in a FSMA-compliant food safety program, the goal is to build a preventative program based on identified risks. Preventive controls, monitoring, corrective actions and verification with a stout documentation program will complete the program elements.
However, there are a few key considerations that can facilitate implementation of these components in the cold food and beverage industries. Electronic documentation, for instance, can help facilitate the decision-making process in program development, verification and maintenance. Sufficient inspection time for establishing the risk assessments, preventive controls, monitoring and any corrective actions is also needed to comply with FSMA. Just as prevention is considered a cornerstone of the food safety plan, inspections are a cornerstone of achieving the goal of preventive pest management.