[Reader Opinions] QA Readers Respond

‘Will it take a catastrophe in the U.S. to make things change?’

The recent issues with the Salmonella recalls from Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) have brought up a popular coined phrase "all care and no responsibility"; however, in my line of work it seems to be "all care and no capability." What needs to be conveyed to the public is what happens behind the scenes to ensure food is safe to handle, prepare, cook and eat. Be it Salmonella in peanuts, melamine in dairy products, or foreign objects in produce, all of these matters surface when the controls put in place are left to be handled by unskilled people. 

 RABQSA International examines auditing professionals who ensure food handlers (growers, manufacturers, chefs, etc.) have the "skills/competencies" to identify a risk and prevent it from reaching the public.

 The difference between qualifications and competencies is a competent person has been examined to ensure they are effective rather than just based on their credentials. To determine if food safety standards are met, regulators and registrars should examine "experts" to audit thoroughly and properly.

 Our experience with the food industry finds that people are lacking proper competencies on many levels when it comes to food and safety. Thus, oversights occur equating to numerous consumer food pois-onings and several deaths each year.

 Systems are in place in many countries to assist the government, the grower and the food handler in developing the abilities required to elevate the level of safety in the food industry. Will it take a catastrophe in the U.S. to make things change?

Peter Holtmann

Acting President & CEO

RABQSA International

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