Food Tampering: An Extra Ounce of Caution
In today's world, we're all being more cautious as we go about our daily routines. And, this caution should also extend to the care we take when we shop for and prepare foods.
The deliberate tampering of food to cause major disease outbreaks is rare, particularly in the United States and Europe or within US military installations. However, recent news events have focused attention on the increasing possibility of such tampering.
US Army veterinary personnel evaluate domestic and foreign food processing plants for their ability to prevent and detect product tampering, part of a process known as food defense. In addition, military food inspectors on our installations monitor food defense at commissaries, Exchanges, dining facilities, eateries, and so forth. The food industry is also stepping up safety measures to ensure that its products are produced as safely as possible.
As a consumer, you also play a role in preventing illness due to food tampering. Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe.
How to detect product tampering at the grocery store . . .
• Carefully examine all food product packaging. Be aware of the normal appearance of food containers. That way you'll be more likely to notice if an outer seal or wrapper is missing. Compare a suspect container with others on the shelf.
• Check any anti-tampering devices on packaging. Make sure the plastic seal around the outside of a container is intact or that the safety button on the lid of a jar is down.
• Don't purchase products if the packaging is open, torn, or damaged. This includes products on the shelf or in the refrigerator or freezer sections of the grocery store.
• Don't buy products that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, never purchase canned goods that are leaking or that bulge at the ends. Likewise for products that appear to have been thawed and then refrozen.
• Check the "sell-by" dates printed on some products, and only buy items within that time frame.
How to detect product tampering at home . . .
• When opening a container, carefully inspect the product. Don't use products that are discolored, moldy, have an off odor, or that spurt liquid or foam when the container is opened.
• Never eat food from products that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, cans that are leaking or that bulge at the ends.
Who to contact . . .
• If you suspect product tampering at the grocery store, report it to the store manager.
• Once you get a commercial food product home, report a suspected tampering incident to your local police department or bring back to the store you obtained the product from and file a customer complaint.
Note: Modeled after FDA guidance.
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