Popular press tackles the value of independent third party food safety audits
· This week USA Today ran competing editorials on the value of food safety audits. ("Food Safety Auditors too tied to the industry" Versus "Food Safety is more than about audits" )
· These are a reflection of the increased scrutiny of the role of independent third party food safety audits following the Listeriosis outbreak from Cantaloupes last year.
· Key questions raised by this review:
o Can companies that are paid by the producers they are auditing provide impartial third party food safety audits?
o Would government cut backs for federal inspection and auditing services pose increased health risks to consumers?
Tim Snider DVM
Veterinary Public Health Resident
Center for Animal Health and Food Safety
University of Minnesota
136 Andrew Boss Laboratory
1354 Eckles Ave,
St Paul, MN 55108