Labor Shortage and Impact on Supply Chain and Food Safety

An article in Food Processing Magazine provides insight into the challenges facing the supply chain as the issue facing the broader economy...labor shortage.   Every section of the supply chain, including manufacturing and foodservice/retail is being severely hampered by the lack of labor.  This in turn has impacted inflation, pushing prices higher.  And for those working in the food industry, it can be a challenge to food safety.

While the COVID pandemic has provided swings in demand throwing the supply chain out of balance, it also ushered in this labor issues which have made the post-pandemic recovery much more difficult.  And this difficulty is expected to continue as it is expected that employee shortages will be a long term situation.

There are a number of reasons for the labor shortage.  An article in the Wall Street Journal (link below) and other sources provide insights including these:

• COVID vaccination status - many employers have issued mandates for COVID vaccinations which has resulted in many deciding to leave rather than comply
• Mothers of with young children deciding to leave or needing to leave the workforce due to childcare.  Childcare facilities are also facing a labor shortage and therefore have reduced capacity.  In other cases, mothers have decided to forgo the extra wages they would have earned to stay at home and reduce their risk.
• Older people who had continued to work after retirement age have decided to fully retire.  In some cases, that means taking early retirement.  In other cases, forgoing extra income and making a go of it on their current retirement payments.  Again, much of this may be related to avoiding the risk of becoming ill with the virus while working.
• For those willing to work, there are plenty of job openings giving people choices.  And there are many who have decided they want more out of their job...whether that be higher wages, better working hours,  better working conditions, or a little of each.  Some are sitting it out waiting for the right opportunity, living off current savings while they search.  And with numerous openings, some people are job jumping, perhaps with the notion of prolonging unemployment benefits.
• Absenteeism is also high.  A NAMI executive reports meat companies being challenged with 20% absenteeism of 20% on any given day.  I spoke with one retailer who stated they are forced to live with call offs - either take people when you can get them or force people who are present to work longer hours.

An article in the National Law Review discusses the use of immigration as a solution.  Having multitudes of people crossing the boarder will do little for jobs requiring some level of expertise, but perhaps by working on easing Visa restrictions, companies can pull in talent from areas where there are excess skilled workers.

Clearly this all then represents a challenge for food safety  - from being flexible to changes in the supply chain, to ensuring enough trained people are present to ensure safe production.  Companies will need to adapt their operations because there does not appear to be getting any better in the short term.  investments in technology and/or making changes to HR strategies will be areas of focus.  It is hard to run full speed when a company has an insufficient number of skill workers to properly operate.

Food Processing Magazine
https://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2021/end-flap-supply-chain
Opinion: The Supply Chain as Scapegoat
The pandemic didn’t cause problems with the supply chain; it exposed them.
By Pan Demetrakakes, Senior Editor
Oct 25, 2021
The supply chain” has been getting a lot of blame lately.

Study - Risk of Spreading Germs in Public Restrooms

A study out of the University of South Australia evaluated the risk of spreading infectious disease in public restrooms.  "A global review of the risks of bacterial and viral transmission in public bathrooms has found that bioaerosols can potentially be transmitted throughout a multi-storey building by defective plumbing and that leaving toilet lids open after flushing can disperse contaminated droplets beyond a metre.  Uncovered rubbish bins in public bathrooms are also flagged as a risk, especially if located under or close to electric hand dryers."  "Open-lid toilet flushing, ineffective hand washing or hand drying, poor surface cleaning, blocked drains and uncovered rubbish bins all contribute to heavy bacterial and viral loads in washrooms."

https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2021/public-washrooms-are-flush-with-germs-but-there-are-simple-ways-to-reduce-your-risk-of-infections/
Public washrooms are flush with germs but there are simple ways to reduce your risk of infections
03 November 2021

Medicinal Herb Recalled After FDA Testing Finds Elevated Levels of Heavy Metal

Murray Int’l Trading of Brooklyn, NY is recalling Angelicae Sinensis because it may contain elevated levels of lead and cadmium. The Angelicae Sinensis is used to make a soup.   The recall was initiated after FDA routine sampling revealed elevated levels of lead and cadmium in the product. Subsequent investigation is underway.

"Angelica sinensis, commonly known as dong quai (simplified Chinese: 当归; traditional Chinese: 當歸) or female ginseng, is a herb belonging to the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China. Angelica sinensis grows in cool high altitude mountains in China, Japan, and Korea. The yellowish brown root of the plant is harvested in the fall and is a well-known Chinese medicine which has been used for thousands of years."[Wikapedia]

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/murray-intl-trading-inc-voluntary-recalling-angelicae-sinensis-due-elevated-levels-lead-and-cadmium
Murray Int’l Trading Inc is Voluntary Recalling Angelicae Sinensis Due to Elevated Levels of Lead and Cadmium
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 02, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 02, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain elevated levels of lead and cadmium
Company Name:  Murray Int’l Trading
Brand Name:  Herbal Doctor Brand
Product Description:  Angelicae Sinensis

FDA Warning Letter - TX Importer with No FSVP Plan

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Dulces La Mejor, LLC, of San Antonio, TX for not having a FSVP program in place for the products the company was importing.  In the Warning Letter, FDA states that the company issued a response after the initial audit stating that they received partial training and had started working on the plan.  FDA was not sufficiently satisfied because they provided no proof of progress.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/dulces-la-mejor-llc-615986-09152021
WARNING LETTER
Dulces La Mejor, LLC
MARCS-CMS 615986 — SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

FDA Warning Letter - Processor of Cashew Cheese-like ProductThat Was Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

FDA inspected a facility producing imitation cheese product after that product was linked to a Salmonella outbreak.  In that outbreak, raw cashews had been identified as the source, but from the Warning Letter, the company had additional issues.

"According to CDC, as of July 7, 2021, 20 people from 4 states have been infected with the outbreak Salmonella serotypes. Four of the same Salmonella serotypes (Urbana, Leiden, Vinohrady and Chester) were also found in an environmental swab taken from your vegan cashew brie (b)(4) during FDA’s inspection, your vegan cashew brie varieties, and/or your incoming cashew pieces used to manufacture your vegan cashew brie products. CDC and FDA have determined, based on the epidemiologic and laboratory evidence, that the RTE vegan cashew brie products produced at your facility are the likely source of the multi-state Salmonella outbreak."

The company felt that receiving a COA for the cashews was sufficient, but without the supplier actually controlling Salmonella, a test will not determine low levels of contamination.  And with inadequate cleaning as identified in the Warning Letter, those low levels of Salmonella can be disseminated in the product.

"The COA provided appears to be for a different lot of cashew pieces than the subject lot referenced above from which FDA isolated Salmonella Urbana ((b)(4) vs (b)(4)). Further, your response references FDA‘s draft guidance2, “Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals,” in regard to use of a COA. That draft guidance states that “[t]esting of . . . the food produced by the supplier may be an appropriate supplier verification approach if such testing provides meaningful results relating to control of a hazard requiring a control.” (Emphasis added). However, your supplier was not controlling the hazard of Salmonella in the raw cashews; therefore, it was not appropriate for you to rely on testing (as reported on the COA) to address the Salmonella hazard. Because the hazard of Salmonella was not controlled by your supplier, it was necessary for you to control the hazard."

Finally, this company had been classified for purposes of the Preventive Controls regulation as a Modified Facility, that is, the facility would need to have GMPs and identified controls, but not have a formal Preventive Controls plan.  This is the downside of this aspect of the regulation - not having to put effort into determining how to identify and put in the necessary controls in place.  FDA indicated that the facility may be forced to withdraw from the Modified Facility status.  Hopefully that occurs.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/jules-foods-615218-10192021
WARNING LETTER
Jule's Foods
MARCS-CMS 615218 — OCTOBER 19, 2021

Salad Products Recalled After Brown Plastic Pieces Found in Supplied Ingredient

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods is recalling salad products after discovering brown plastic in one of the ingredients supplied to them.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ukrops-homestyle-foods-announces-voluntary-recall-six-green-salads-and-chicken-caesar-wrap
Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Announces Voluntary Recall Six Green Salads and Chicken Caesar Wrap
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 01, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain small pieces of brown plastic
Company Name:  Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods
Brand Name:  Ukrop's
Product Description:  Green Salads and Chicken Caesar Wrap

Taylor Farms Recalls Mushroom Stir Fry Due to Listeria

Taylor Farms is recalling Mushroom Stir Fry due to the potential for Listeria.  There was no information was posted regarding how the contamination was determined.  At this point, all the product is likely past the expiration date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/taylor-farms-mushroom-stir-fry-9-oz
Taylor Farms Mushroom Stir Fry, 9 Oz.
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 23, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 23, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Taylor Farms
Brand Name:  Taylor Farms
Product Description:  Mushroom Stir Fry
Company Announcement  Affects Kroger stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama, Greater Louisville area (including Indiana) and Lexington, Kentucky; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Ingredient Supplier Issue with Metal Fragments Results in Recall of Tastykake Cupcakes

Updated Nov. 3.  Additional products added to recall.

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) is recalling Tastykake multi-pack cupcakes due to the potential presence of tiny fragments of metal mesh wire. The recall was initiated following notification by a vendor of the possible contamination in a supplied ingredient.

This is an issue often discussed...supplier control of potential metal fragments.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/amended-flowers-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-tastykake-products-due-possible-presence-tiny

Amended – Flowers Foods Issues Voluntary Recall on Certain Tastykake Products Due to Possible Presence of Tiny Fragments of Metal Mesh Wire

Bagged Garden Salad Recalled After State Laboratory Finds Listeria in a Sample

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of garden salad due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.   The product being recalled is now past its expiration date.   This precautionary Recall notification is being issued due to a single sample of garden salad which yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Georgia.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-garden-classic-salads-possible
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Precautionary Limited Recall of Garden Classic Salads for Possible Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages Produce  
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole & others
Product Description:  garden salad