The growing issue of food safety, along with the increased scrutiny on manufacturers to manage associated risks continues to have a significant impact on the food and beverage industry. As the food supply chain becomes more global and complex, food safety issues tend to be more far-reaching than those experienced decades ago. There has also been an increase in consolidation among growers, manufacturers and distributors, meaning food products (and the ingredients associated with them) are being supplied to a wider net of consumers and end markets, exacerbating these issues.
Consumer tastes and preferences are also evolving. Many food companies must source products and ingredients more broadly in an attempt to differentiate offerings, including many foreign-grown items, to meet the culinary experiences consumers demand. By broadening the food supply with these and other non-traditional ingredients, food manufacturers are also exposing the American culture to new origins of risk.