Food Safety and Government Relations Youth Food Animal Quality Assurance Curriculum Guide go.osu.edu/AQCA
Who is Responsible for Food Safety? All segments of the production chain At the live animal level: Food animal producers including: Youth food animal project members Parents/guardians/family members of youth
Consumer Producer Food Service Transportation Marketing Retail/ Distribution Processing Harvesting Marketing Producer Transportation
Quality Assurance Assurance is a pledge or promise Assurance is a pledge or promise Quality defined 2 ways - A food product preferred by consumers A safe, wholesome food product
Quality Assurance Achieve a safe, quality product by understanding: Achieve a safe, quality product by understanding: Animal handling (GPP 9) Animal welfare (Ethics/Animal Welfare) Animal health (GPPs 2, 3, 4) Nutrition (GPP 5) Impacts of production/show practices on consumer perception of meat quality and safety (ALL GPPs)
Why is Food Safety an Issue with Youth Food Animal Exhibitors? Youth food animal exhibitors are: Food animal producers Under the same regulations as adult food animal producers
Why is Food Safety an Issue with Youth Food Animal Exhibitors? Media brought attention to violations in 1990s Violations still continue today Takes only ONE violation to change public perception of youth food animal programs and industry
Perception is Reality to the Public
Food Animal Tampering Potential consequences for youth: Prosecuted Potential consequences for youth: Prosecuted Banned from fair for a period of time Stripped of award monies Fined
Food Safety Regulatory Agencies: Regulatory Agencies: United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal government agency that enforces regulations related to agriculture Food products and safety Delivery of products to consumer
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulates medicated animal feed and most animal health products Approves health products Sets tolerance levels of medications Approves route of administration of product
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Division of USDA Inspects all food products from animals in federally inspected packing plants and food processing facilities Examines food processing facility sanitation (HACCP)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Approves and regulates pesticides Determines withdrawal time of pesticides for livestock Regulates physical and chemical impact of livestock production on the environment
HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points System that protects food system from major food safety hazards Required in all food processing facilities that are federally inspected Some food animal operations adopting HACCP
Food Safety Hazards Chemical Product tampering Residues from Drugs Chemical Residues from Drugs Pesticides Product tampering
Food Safety Hazards Physical Bruising Injection site blemishes Stress Physical Bruising Injection site blemishes Stress Contamination (usually from manure)
Food Safety Hazards Microbial Microbial Bacteria which could cause foodborne illness Salmonella E. Coli Listeria Salmonella E. Coli Listeria
7 Steps of HACCP Identify where hazard can occur Identify where hazard can occur Find Critical Control Points (CCP) in production process of product Set limits for each CCP Monitor production processes Fix, if needed Keep records Verify HACCP is working
How Can HACCP be Applied to Youth Projects? Implement the 10 GPPs in raising food animals Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to avoid hazards Keep accurate records
How Can Youth Exhibitors Ensure Food Safety? Supply the packer/processor with animals and/or food products free from drug and chemical residues and physical hazards Youth exhibitors must also be aware of withdrawal times