With more than 570,000 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the U.S. in mid-April, there are questions about the safety of everything and anything manufactured overseas. Since it is believed that the virus began in the open food markets of China's Wuhan province, imported foods are on the minds of the masses.

The good news is, the Food and Drug Administration states, “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices …”

So for now, it looks like we have to be more concerned about other people  shopping in the grocery store than we do about any Coronavirus contamination in food.

But even without a Coronavirus, food logistics is a niche market that requires more than just a little know-how. Its importance is evident from the millions of dollars food and beverage companies spend on recalls each year. According to the FDA’s website, “About 48 million people in the U.S. (1 in 6) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from food-borne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a significant public health burden that is largely preventable.” For every stage of a shipment's journey, many hands must comply with hard and fast rules and guidelines to get the product to its endpoint—the consumer’s table.

The adoption of FSMA has increased overall compliance within the industry and as a by-product, has reduced risk and enabled faster and more effective recall actions when needed.

If you are interested in learning about current government rules and regulations put forth by FSMA, and would like to know who and what is subject to the laws, and receive helpful information regarding best practices to ensure compliance and the safety of America’s food and beverage freight, click here.  

Choptank Transport follows all FSMA compliance rules and regulations. Our transportation professionals are thoroughly trained on best practices and are required to review procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regularly.

Do you have specific food safety in transportation questions? Contact us today or leave a comment below.