Climate change is here and already having a major impact on the economy, government policy, health, and agriculture. Rising global temperatures and increasing extreme weather events won’t just disrupt the food supply chain — they directly threaten food safety in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Even in the face of this global challenge, strong food safety leaders can take action to protect supply chains and consumer health.
Here’s a look at the challenges that experts are predicting — and what manufacturers can do to mitigate risks.
Climate change is impacting the entire food supply chain, giving rise to new challenges and impeding responses to existing risks. Climate scientists are expecting:
A study by Ohio State University found that global warming will enhance growth conditions for bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms that threaten food safety, increasing the risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses. More frequent heat waves will also strain manufacturers’ efforts to maintain the perishables cold chain during product transport and storage, increasing chances for spoilage and pathogen growth.
Changing weather patterns will also introduce new pathogenic threats to regions unprepared to deal with them. As temperatures warm, disease-carrying insects may migrate and gain access to whole new populations of livestock that lack immunity to these unfamiliar pathogens. If these new diseases wreak havoc on livestock, it could undermine the livelihood of farmers and undermine existing food safety systems and protocols, giving rise to threats that directly impact human health.
Extreme weather events could also hinder the food safety systems we currently have in place. Researchers at Tufts University point out that heat waves, extreme storms, and wildfires could cause power outages, leaving ingredients and food products without refrigeration and the climate control necessary to prevent spoilage. In fact, power outages caused by extreme weather events have already doubled in severity and frequency over the last few decades, making these risks a present day reality. Extreme weather events can also disrupt transport routes and slow down supply chain speed, leaving shelves empty and threatening overall food security.
Despite these current and emerging challenges, food and beverage manufacturers have a lot of strategies and tools available to mitigate risks and protect the food supply chain. Here are five tips for getting your operation climate change-ready:
In our increasingly connected food supply chain, it’s impossible to maintain the rigorous standards that keep the world’s food safe without good faith support and international cooperation — even when it comes to information sharing and education. To overcome the global food safety challenges inherent in climate change, it’s critical to leverage the insight of experienced and trusted experts.
AIB International has over a century of experience helping food and beverage companies navigate the ever-evolving challenges of food safety, and is on the front lines of helping organizations adapt to longstanding and emerging food safety challenges. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the latest developments in the industry.