May 23, 2018

USPOULTRY: Food safety focus of 2018 Poultry Processor Workshop

On May 10-11, poultry industry leaders convened in Orange Beach, Alabama, US, for USPOULTRY's 2018 Poultry Processor Workshop.

This year's programme covered diverse topics that are top of mind with plant managers and supervisors.
 

For the past year, blockchain has become a buzzword that is used everywhere. Sean Leighton, vice president of quality and food safety at Cargill, presented on "Blockchain Technology" and how it will affect the food industry.

"When people hear the term "blockchain," often, it is being referred to in the sense of capital. However, it has applications for food safety and quality assurance," Leighton explained.

"Simply put, blockchain is a data-centered approach to business. The technology drives transparency where everyone can see all transactions. It offers cryptography intensive data crunching and decentralisation, which, in a highly digital world, makes it difficult for hackers to destroy data and records."

Jenny Houlroyd, occupational health group manager, and her colleagues at the Georgia Tech Applied Research Corporation recently conducted a pilot study, funded by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation, on poultry processing employee exposure to peracetic acid-based disinfectants. Houlroyd presented the findings, which are intended to increase industry knowledge of exposure to peracetic acid, or its component chemicals, and begin assessing factors that further minimise exposure.

"Peracetic acid is being used in other industries, and its use has increased over the years. When using this chemical, we want to not only ensure we are protecting the food product but also plant employees," said Houlroyd.

Other programme topics included, "Why Employees Leave" survey results; "Alternative Stunning Methods"; "Salmonella 360": "A Holistic Approach to Food Safety"; "International Processing Standards for Microbial Interventions"; "Peracetic Acid": "Antimicrobial Alternatives", "Effects on Wastewater Operations and Utilization Best Practices"; and "New Poultry Inspection Systems: Review of Possible Layouts and Interpreting the Regulations."

- USPOULTRY