Endless disruptions throughout the global food supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic has put the food industry under immense strain as manufacturers scramble to ensure that operations continue despite limited resources. While the focus is on COVID-19, pests continue to thrive in food factories globally, and consumers continue to find rodent hair in pasta1, baby food containing insect fragments2 or spiders hitching a ride in bananas3. Cases such as these make newsworthy headlines, rapidly tarnishing a brands’ trustworthy reputation that took decades of meticulous work to build.
Furthermore, with pest control attributing up to 20% of the audit score, it is surprising that the FDA still reports pest control among the top 5 violation categories at food facilities for 2020. It remains a mystery as to why modern food factories do not give the deserving resources and attention to pest control and sanitation, given that implementing an effective pest control programme could save an establishment from cringe-worthy media claims. However, this may indicate that the industry is struggling to implement sustainable and effective measures that provide protection to pest-caused contamination in food products. Alternatively, it could indicate that sanitation is not being monitored closely enough to prevent pest harbourage within the establishment.
During 2020 some routine inspections in facilities took a back seat as management in factories focused on COVID-19 related challenges. In the light of the current pandemic, we all agree that pest control measures need to be bought to light again throughout the supply chain. It is critical that optimal food safety (and quality) is maintained by increasing the emphasis on Integrated Pest Control (IPC) or Management (ICM) particularly during this time where there is short-term unavailability of safety personnel and delays in interventional measures due to the pandemic.
A pest control program can feel complicated in its own so it is recommended that you look and bringing in the professionals, but even that decision can feel complex. Remember, your pest management program is only as good as its provider: Which brings us to the question, how should you go about choosing a provider? This article proposes some aspects that may be considered when creating a more effective and robust pest management system, particularly when selecting the correct pest control provider. If you are a Pest Control Providers, please take note of what the food industry requires from you.
Understanding Your responsibility
It is the responsibility as the food-handling establishment to supply safe food. Supplying safe food cannot be ensured without the proactive and continual implementation of a comprehensive and well-documented IPC Plan for your facility. An IPC approach (as described by the FAO) considers the available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures to suppress pest populations while maintaining pesticides and other interventions at levels that are economically justified and hold minimal risk for the environment and human health.
IPC includes strategies like sanitation and facility maintenance to prevent pest activity. It forms part of the HACCP system, government legislation, food safety audit standards and is expected by consumers. Partnering with a licensed pest control provider can help with the implementation of all the necessary tactics within your ICP plan. Note that minimizing your environmental impact is always advised when managing pest activity, and chemical treatments should only be used as a last resort.
By Jesse Kelfkens - 21 February 2020
References
1. Low, Z. (2020). Insect fragments, rodent hair found in pasta sold in Hong Kong, China News - AsiaOne [Internet document] URL https://www.asiaone.com/china/insect-fragments-rodent-hair-found-pasta-sold-hong-kong. Accessed 01/03/2021.
2. Sun Reporter. (2020). Dad terrified after ‘dozens of deadly spiders burst out of bananas’ from Lidl – The Sun [Internet document] . Sun ReporterURL https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11141041/brazilian-wandering-spiders-bananas-lidl/. Accessed 01/03/2021.
3. The Canadian Press. (2019). Kraft Heinz Turkey Stew baby food recalled due to possibility of insects | CBC News [Internet document] . The Canadian Press URL https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kraft-heinz-turkey-stew-baby-food-recalled-due-to-possibility-of-insects-1.5250977. Accessed 01/03/2021.
4. Pierson, D. (2014). USDA closes Foster Farms plant over roach infestation - Los Angeles Times [Internet document] . Los Angeles TimesURL https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2014-jan-08-la-fi-0109-foster-farms-cockroaches-20140109-story.html. Accessed 01/03/2021.
