Mitigating Recall Risk by Managing Your Supply Chain
07-07-2010
By Mike Rozembajgier
We’ve discussed on this blog before the importance of qualifying your product ingredients in order to ensure that they are safe. But occasionally manufacturers still find themselves facing a recall because of a defective ingredient obtained from a supplier. For example, recent recalls of contaminated black pepper, HVP, and even peanuts eventually led to massive recalls of consumer products that contained these ingredients. Now Kellogg Co. and Procter & Gamble have been forced to manage a recall because of the failure of something that wasn’t even in the final product at all, but just a part of the packaging.
In Kellogg’s case, breakfast cereal was recalled because of complaints about an “uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell” linked to the package liners. In the case of Procter & Gamble, Scope mouthwash was recalled because the child-resistant caps were defective. Keep in mind, in both cases, the core product was perfectly safe. But both products had to be recalled anyway because of defective product packaging.
And these are not the only high-profile recalls that have occurred this year because of packaging, components, or ingredients. To insure quality and avoid recalls, manufacturers need to know and test their supply chain partners. This has become increasingly difficult as supply chains have become more complex, but it is your responsibility as a manufacturer to increase your own testing and standards in order to ensure product and consumer safety.
Don’t be mistaken – product packaging is still considered part of your final product. And be sure to note that consumer concern about foodborne illnesses, overexposure to lead and cadmium, and health risks associated with chemicals, bacteria or harmful substances is steadily increasing. As a manufacturer you must be absolutely certain that everything from the water you use to make a product to the plastic used to carry it is safe for consumers of all ages.
As a manufacturer, you must take the necessary steps to make sure that the ingredients and components used in your products meet all regulatory requirements and manufacturing specifications and that nothing will contaminate them while in transport. Taking these preventative steps could help you avoid a devastating product recall, potential harm to the public and to your brand image, not to mention potentially serious legal and regulatory repercussions.
Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.
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