According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 6 U.S. citizens are affected by foodborne illness each year; the Public Health Agency of Canada estimates the figure at 1 in 8 Canadians. Both agencies state that illness can stem from either contaminated products or allergies relating to mislabeled products. This is a significant public health burden that, with proper protocols, can be prevented before products reach the market.

The driving force behind new industry regulations

Recently, a well-known producer of specialty foods issued a large product recall. The primary packaging was mislabeled, displaying incorrect product content. Although the food did not contain a bacterium, it was produced on a line that contained nuts, a common allergen. Consumers with known food allergies put trust in producers to ensure that packaging and labels match the product contents.

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