– Opinion –
Roger Hankok and Vanessa Koffman
Every day, food is reviewed every day, but how they communicate with consumers, far from consistently. Despite many years of discussion and some progress on the part of the regulatory authorities (FDA has provided a leadership, and USDA has its own template), there is still no universal standard for notifications about recall – both what they say and how they are distributed.
Some companies piss well and disseminate their notifications of feedback. Many are not. As a result, too many people will learn about the review too late. Official state ads can be postponed, difficult to interpret or do not have critical details. This does not just confuse and disappoints the consumer, it is dangerous.
Consumers deserve removable notifications that are clear, specific and effective. When everything is done correctly, response messages clearly indicate what the problem is, what products are affected and what exactly to do next. When this information is transmitted quickly and clearly, it not only reduces risks for public health, but also helps consumers feel more confident that the food industry is serious about their safety.
Effective notifications of consumer reviews
Here's what consumers should expect to see a short, simple, easy notification of review, whether on a sign in a store, on a government web site or digital message:
- A A clear title This explains the reason for the memory. You must immediately know whether the problem is pathogen, unequipped allergens or another safety problem.
- Detailed product information This will help you determine whether the review affects you. The notification must be listed, the dimensions of products, lots of lots, UPCS and “Best by” or date of expiration. They should accompany images of identifying information with high resolution and where it can be found in the package.
- Detection details About where the product was sold. You should see information about the states, regions and stores where the product was distributed.
- Ordinary tongue An explanation of risk This explains why the subject is remembered and what symptoms should be observed if you consume the product.
- Instructions for What to do nextThe field, regardless of whether he throws the subject or return to the store, the notification of the review should tell you exactly how to answer.
- Contact information For the recall brand, including a website, phone number and email address where consumers can ask questions and/or receive support.
- A QR -code or references linkThe field more and more often food brands provide QR codes on their products, which consumers can instantly scan for accurate updates in real time for review.
Putter for standardized reporting reviews
Fortunately, efforts are being made to create a standardized, convenient for consumers of messaging, which will improve the method of communicating with consumers. FDA recently Published a letter The need to modernize communication with consumers, which is a well -known, long -standing problem that has been underestimated for too long.
Companies of the private sector, non -profit organizations, trade associations and other interested parties become champions in standardization and the best practice of notifications. The main areas include:
- Stop food disease It is a leading study for testing and finalizing templates of notifications of notifications of review, which clearly convey the risk, reach a vulnerable audience and improve the consumer reaction.
- A Alliance for reviews of ready -made communitiesIt works on the process and the data side – helping companies better prepare for recalling tools, modeling and standardized data exchange. This includes how brands create and coordinate messages for consumers through the supply chain.
- Smartlabel and GS1 are working to make QR and 2D codes by the ubiquitous food safety tool, allowing consumers to instantly and easily access critical information about the product. One scan allows you to see the most relevant information about the review.
- The industry leaders also seek to overcome common barriers in notifications about recall, including how to spread information in different languages in order to better cover non -English speakers and how to expand coverage for the best target marginal groups of the population.
These efforts are aimed at improving the review notifications, so the information that appears on your phone in your mailbox and in stores during the recall has helped you ensure safety. The best templates, the best data and the best systems will mean less confusion and the best consumer protection.
When the call messages are clear, concise, targeted and timely, people take measures. This protects people and helps reduce risks for public health in all areas. Improving the process of notification of review will help to make sure that you do not need to guess if your food is safe.
About the authors: Roger Hankok He is the general director Remember Infolink and member of the leading committee Alliance for reviews of ready -made communitiesField
Vanessa Koffman, Director Alliance to stop the disease of food originHe led various studies in the field of food systems aimed at protecting the health of workers and consumers. Since the afterwards to fuss STOP In 2021, she expanded the membership, personnel and programs of the Alliance organization, which led to a systemic shift towards a stronger food culture throughout the food system. Vanessa has a doctoral degree in the field of environmental epidemiology at the public health school John Hopkins.
