Regardless of the intent of Chinese and U.S. regulations, food manufacturers around the world cannot rely on their suppliers to be on the right side of the law, according to Gary Rushlo, client business partner at SoftBrands, Inc., here, who consults with manufacturers on issues such as lot traceability and product recalls.
"Manufacturers and distributors need to take the reigns and do all they can to vet their suppliers. Then they need to be prepared to act quickly if a crisis strikes," Rushlo said.
Reports of tainted food from China and the recent government-ordered closing of nearly 200 food manufacturing plants in the country have stirred concerns of safety around the world and fears for businesses throughout the food and beverage supply and distribution chain.
In the aftermath of a series of warnings about the safety of food and drug products from China, that country's safety authority announced plans to issue rules requiring companies to take back tainted or otherwise unsafe products or face possible blacklisting. Also, in June Chinese officials closed 180 food manufacturing plants
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