Above all, safety first
The safety and well-being of our customers is our first priority. That’s why we maintain rigorous, science-based standards and evaluations in critical areas throughout our food and toy supply chains.
Our food suppliers must have food safety management systems in place, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), a verified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan and crisis management, food security and other applicable programs. In 2007, we updated our Supplier Quality Management System to align food safety and quality expectations into one global document.
In addition to developing and implementing our own policies and programs, we have been leading the effort to harmonize food safety standards and audits within the food industry by working with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This will reduce redundant audits and enable our suppliers to focus more resources on continuous improvement.
Seizing opportunities for improvement
"The Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables," issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration more than 10 years ago and adopted by most U.S. farmers and food processors, is a solid foundation for ensuring Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Harvest Practices (GHP). However, McDonald’s and others in the restaurant industry believed that a further strengthening of preventative measures in the fields, where most harmful pathogens are located, were needed.
In the wake of the 2006 e. coli spinach crisis in the U.S., we began working with our suppliers, the United Fresh Producers Association and others in the food service industry to develop and implement an approach that included additional safety checks at critical points early in the production of produce and a re-verification step prior to harvesting. Under this approach, audits are conducted to verify the implementation and maintenance of GAP and GHP both prior to planting and after harvest.
As the next step in increasing verification of the raw material, we have been working with other end users in the food service and retail industries to implement a standardized pathogen testing process that is both reliable and meaningful. As protocols are developed and implemented, guidance from appropriate U.S. regulatory bodies will be sought to enhance the process application.