Prior to last year’s cantaloupe recall, the cantaloupe producer/processor had made a change to its washing process, ostensibly to improve it. However, the change from a chlorinated to non-chlorinated wash plus a change of washing equipment may have contributed to the Listeria outbreak. In addition, while auditors pointed out that wood was found on the unloading and packing tables, hot water hand wash was not available, and facility doors were left open during operating hours, the facility still scored a 96 percent grade in a third-party audit. It’s important to note no pathogen issues or foodborne illness outbreaks had ever been recorded at this facility until these process changes were made.
While a producer may have the best intentions to improve a system by making process changes, without some expert help with validation and verification, the processor may only be guessing as to whether the changes will be effective and safe. And, when disaster strikes, it’s too late to second guess what went wrong. One thing is sure: A pathogen outbreak and recall can bring on lawsuits and put a processor out of business.