Vanee Foods and Eli’s Cheesecake Company have a lot in common. Even though the former focuses on producing soups and sauces and the other focuses on delectable desserts, they are both family-owned businesses being run by second and third generations, both are located in the Chicagoland area and both are focused on food safety. 

Like a lot of you, I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the Food Safety and Modernization Act. 

The Food Safety Modernization Act’s preventative controls rule went into effect this past fall for large CPG food and beverage companies. Most in the industry understand the new rules are focused on prevention of food safety hazards, but that doesn’t mean everyone is at the same level of comprehension and compliance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that major foodborne pathogens cause 9 million illnesses each year. The number of foodborne illnesses motivated the FDA to create the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which Congress passed.