Food Safety for Dummies

Here is some more coverage from the United Fresh Produce Association's "Food Safety 101" short course. One of the presentations was from David Durkin, lawyer with Olsson, Frank and Weeda, P.C., Washington, D.C. The presentation addressed the relationship between FDA and the industry.

Durkin's presentation showed a firm grasp on the subject matter - something the industry struggles with at times

"There are a lot people who think the FDA isn't the agency of jurisdiction with them," he said. Produce shippers and receivers deal with USDA graders all day, while they never see the FDA.

That may change, and Durkin answers some questions about what procedures a produce company should have in place in the event of an FDA inspection.

"Growers, processors, wholesalers - you will see FDA inspections in the next two, five and ten years like you have never seen them before."

Coping with high gas prices

Remember when gas was about 30 cents a gallon? I was about 8 years old, but those were the days, when three quarters could keep you going for half a week. Now, my brother-in-law oil company exec says we should brace ourselves for $4 per gallon gas this summer.

The FMI's Grocery Shopper Trends 2007 survey takes an extensive look at how consumers are coping with higher energy and gasoline costs. Surprisingly, the research shows that fresh produce may take a hit when gas prices soar.
From an FMI news release:


Costly Energy Affects How Consumers Shop, Cook and Dine High fuel and home-heating costs are driving other changes in shopping for 41 percent of consumers. In fact, the impact extends beyond shopping to cooking and dining.
For example, consumers:
• Cook more and eat out less, cited by 69 percent of those surveyed.
• Eat more leftovers or use leftovers to make other meals, 62 percent.
• Purchase more grocery store brand items as opposed to national brand items, 56 percent.
• Purchase fewer food items overall, 40 percent.
• Buy more canned, frozen or boxed food as opposed to fresh food, 30 percent.
• Purchase more prepared meals from the grocery store rather than going out,

In a first for Trends, consumers now shop for food fewer than two times a week. The average number of trips is now 1.9, down from 2.1 in 2006. Cost and health concerns are behind the increase in people cooking more meals. Nearly eight in 10 shoppers (78 percent) eat home-cooked meals three or more times a week. More than nine in 10 (92 percent) say the food they eat at home is healthier than the meals eaten away from home. This figure includes 41 percent who believe food prepared at home is "much healthier."


TK: Short of getting a moped, we all will have to deal with higher gas prices. That could take some of the edge out of consumer demand this summer for fresh produce.