Intertek, a leading global quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, has commited to reduced food recalls through its global Labelling Centre of Excellence.

 

One of the biggest risks companies face is the risk to their reputation. This can be particularly important in the event of a food product recall, said a statement.

 

Consumers regularly come into contact with a variety of new and exciting food products on the marketplace and if a recall occurs, issues of brand loyalty can have an immense impact on the profitability of a business, it said.

 

According to a 2014 poll, the impact of food recalls can affect consumer behaviour, they identified  55 per cent of consumers would temporarily purchase another brand, 16 per cent of consumers would never purchase the recalled brand again, 17 per cent would avoid using any brand made by the manufacturer and the remaining 12 per cent could not decide.

 

One of the key solutions to risk aversion can be the compliant labelling of products. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have reported that 121 recalls have been issued this year so far equating to 19.4 million units involving 114 manufactures with 95 per cent of the recalled units due to undeclared allergens. 

 

A high percentage of these could be prevented with correct labelling of products and effective food safety management programme in place such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).

 

Dorottya Karako, Centre of Excellence Process Leader at Intertek, said: “Compliant food labelling is critical to the food industry and through Intertek’s Centre of Excellence we coordinate more than 80 operational offices around the world, helping local and international companies comply with applicable legislations and avoid costly recalls. 

 

“Intertek’s Food Centre of Excellence offers a central office of expertise aimed at optimising the label validation process and giving compliance to market regulatory requirements in order for businesses to sell their products in multiple countries. The Centre’s objective is to facilitate the entry of food products into new markets and ensure that their labelling complies with local and international legislations.”

 

Intertek offers label validation from Asia Pacific, European, Middle Eastern, African, Latin American and North American regions, responding to the differing food labelling laws and managed through two operational management hubs in France and Germany. - TradeArabia News Service