Plant-based vegan consumers are increasingly vigilant about the integrity and food safety behind their choices. Midst a growing demand for transparency and accountability, there's a timely call for the 'new' plant-based industry to 'align passion with pragmatism', ensuring products are not only ethical and sustainable, but also meet rigorous safety standards.
David McGee (pictured left), is a leading UK, BRCGS Food Safety consultant and advocate for vegan food safety, who says the importance of 'practicing and maintaining high standards' in vegan / plant-based production has never been so critical.
Through his work with vegan food manufacturers in the US and UK, David McGee has developed certification and training programs designed to uphold the highest levels of food safety especially with factory conversions.
"Choosing to utilise existing meat, fish, and poultry factories forinstance presents a distinct loss of control and increased vulnerability," says David McGee, spotlighting challenges faced by vegan manufacturers in an industry dominated by traditional food producers.
*The case of a young customer who suffered an anaphylactic shock after consuming a vegan 'soft serve' coconut ice cream, contaminated with dairy, illustrates the dire consequences of lapses in food safety and labeling. The soft-serve powder mix labeling clearly did not say 'Produced where dairy products are handled' This incident, along with the tragic story of 20-year-old Anna Bellisario, who died after eating a dessert mistakenly believed to be vegan, illustrates the critical need for stringent safety protocols and accurate labeling to instill consumer confidence about vegan - plant-based products.
David McGee advocates for a multi-faceted approach to bolster vegan food safety, including expecting unannounced food safety audits to ensure readiness and compliance, clear and abundant allergen warnings on labels, and the establishment of a reputable network of scientists to advocate for the nutritional benefits and sustainability of vegan products. He also says the importance of fostering a positive food safety culture within manufacturing facilities, one that goes beyond mere compliance but instilling a genuine commitment to safety among all staff members.
Photo 85003337 | Food Factory Workers © Auremar
David McGee invites vegan influencers and stakeholders to join forces in creating a systematic framework for safety controls. "There's an urgent need to address these vulnerabilities enabling the vegan industry to transform into a world leader in healthy, sustainable, ethical, and most importantly, safe food choices for all consumers," says David McGee.
As the vegan food industry continues to evolve, it's clear the journey toward excellence in safety and quality requires not just passion, but a pragmatic and cooperative effort to safeguard the trust and health of consumers worldwide. A complete story needs to be told.
*A real case in Queensland, Australia this writer was a party to.
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