AVOIDING FOOD ALERTS IN INDUSTRY: SOLUTIONS WITH NATURAL BARRIERS
A food alert not only puts public health at risk, but can severely compromise a food company’s reputation, economic stability and long-term viability.
74% of consumers say they no longer trust a brand after being implicated in a food alert, according to recent data. In an increasingly demanding market in terms of quality and transparency, avoiding such incidents must be a top priority for any food operator.
What is a food alert and how does it impact a business?
A food alert occurs when a potential or actual risk to public health is detected in a food already on the market. This may be the presence of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella, chemical residues, undeclared allergens, foreign bodies or other contaminants.
The consequences for the company go far beyond product recall. Among the most important impacts are
- Direct economic costs: recall logistics, destruction of the product, stoppage of production lines, penalties and fines.
- Loss of consumer confidence: food alerts directly affect brand perception. Regaining that trust can take years or even be irreversible.
- Legal repercussions: the company may face litigation, compensation and even criminal liability.
- Negative media coverage: a food crisis is often echoed in the media and social networks, amplifying the reputational damage.
What food alert system is in place in Spain?
The Coordinated System for the Rapid Exchange of Information (SCIRI) is the mechanism established in Spain to manage food alerts. Coordinated by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), its objective is to ensure efficient and rapid communication between competent authorities in the event of food risks. SCIRI is part of the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), thus facilitating the exchange of information at EU level. When a risk is detected in a food or feed, SCIRI makes it possible:
- Prevent products from reaching consumers.
- Trace and withdraw the products concerned from the market.
- To ensure the proper disposal of these products.
- Take preventive measures to avoid recurrences.
This system is essential to protect public health and maintain confidence in the safety of food available on the market.
What is the key strategy to avoid food alerts?
To minimise the risk of food alerts, the food industry applies the well-known barrier theory. This approach consists of implementing multiple control measures along the entire production chain. The more barriers that are put in place, the less likely it is that a contaminant will reach the consumer.
These barriers include:
- Heat treatments: pasteurisation, cooking, sterilisation.
- In-plant hygiene and staff training.
- Control of suppliers and raw materials.
- Safe and appropriate packaging for the type of food.
- Use of natural preservatives and antimicrobials: capable of inhibiting or eliminating pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms during the shelf life of the product.
This approach not only improves product safety, but is also a fundamental tool in preventive risk management, allowing action to be taken before an incident occurs.
How can Amerex help you in the prevention of food alerts?
At Amerex, we have been helping companies protect their products through natural preservation solutions for over 30 years. Our ingredients act as additional barriers to the growth of microorganisms, including pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and Escherichia coli.
Thanks to a wide range of formulations, our products adapt to multiple food matrices, providing proven efficacy through studies such as challenge tests and predictive microbiology analysis. All without compromising the clean label or the sensory profile of the food.
With Amerex, you add another safety barrier to your product, minimise the risk of alerts and reinforce confidence in your brand.
Want more information on these products? Contact us for a closer and more personalised advice through:
- You can write us an email to: imasd@amerexingredientes.com
- Call us on: +34 91 845 42 14
- Fill in the form below
Patricia Rodrigo is Head of Marketing & Product at Amerex. With a background in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biotechnology Business Management, her work focuses on research and communication of natural alternatives to additives, conservation strategies, and pathogen control in various food groups for the industry.
