Today’s post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc.

At SafeSourcing, suppliers that are part of our SafeSourceIt™ Global Supplier Database are held accountable to many different certifications that support safety in the supply chain. Please read on to learn a little bit more about Generally Recognized as Safe

“GRAS” is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized as Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, and is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excluded from the definition of a food additive.

Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Act, and FDA‘s implementing regulations in 21 CFR 170.3 and 21 CFR 170.30, the use of a food substance may be GRAS either through scientific procedures or, for a substance used in food before 1958, through experience based on common use in food.

• Under 21 CFR 170.30(b), general recognition of safety through scientific procedures requires the same quantity and quality of scientific evidence as is required to obtain approval of the substance as a food additive and ordinarily is based upon published studies, which may be corroborated by unpublished studies and other data and information.
• Under 21 CFR 170.30(c) and 170.3(f), general recognition of safety through experience based on common use in foods requires a substantial history of consumption for food use by a significant number of consumers.

If you’d like to learn more about how SafeSourcing can assist in properly helping to insure your suppliers are adhering to all safety concerns,  please contact a SafeSourcing customer services associate.

References: Http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafeGRAS/default.htm

Todays post is by Ron Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc.

When implementing a new program of any nature, your sourcing partner is a wealth of assistance; they can accomplish a majority of the legwork so you can concentrate on other priorities.  In the seafood category, how do companies begin their search for new reliably sustainable seafood partners?  How can they be certain that their new partner will adhere to the certifications required by the Global Aquaculture Alliance and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership?  Most importantly, once their new seafood partner is determined, how will they maintain a price that does not drastically damage their budget?

The answer is simple—Turn to your Sourcing Partner.

SafeSourcing can provide you with quality, vetted suppliers with the ability to fulfill all of your seafood and other category needs.  Even more, they can assist in certification identification of all suppliers, this way if you have partnerships , you can remain compliant with their practices.  Once certified suppliers are located, SafeSourcing can provide the opportunity for price compression making your new program financially attractive.

When implementing a new initiative or program, focus on the implementation and let your sourcing partner handle the rest.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist with this process, please contact a Customer Service Representative for more information.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Today’s post is written by Ivy Ray, Senior Procurement Specialist at SafeSourcing Inc.

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death for American woman, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Cheese has been implicated in the problem because a lot of commercial dairy milk comes from cows treated with hormones, which can end up in the milk. A group of doctors has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a warning to label cheese to caution to consumers that it contains hormones that may increase the risk of breast cancer.

The cheese making process can concentrate some of the growth hormones like IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), which is naturally produced and helps key cells reproduce and survive, it also promotes growth and survival in unhealthy cells. Research has linked this to an increased risk of breast cancer. The saturated fat in most cheese has also been under scrutiny and believed to contribute to the issue, since studies have found that specifically high-fat dairy raises the risk of breast cancer mortality.

The research on the health impact of cheese is very mixed.  Other research has found that cheese is actually associated with health benefits, like lowering the risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Low-fat dairy products may actually have health benefits. The question is, if the hormones that are used in cattle are causing adverse effects in humans, why is there not a ban on the use of the hormones in question? Which hormones are being used, and under whose oversight does that fall?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports the American agricultural economy to provide a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for the American people. The USDA mainly oversees meat, poultry, and eggs. The FDA is a division of the U.S. Department of Health, which regulates drugs, dietary supplements, and ensures that the foods people eat in the U.S. are safe, wholesome, sanitary, and properly labeled.  It is the FDA that approves and labels the steroid hormone drugs for use in beef cattle and sheep and determines that the drug is safe for the animals, the environment, and for humans to consume. No steroid hormone implants are approved for growth purposes in dairy cows, veal calves, pigs, or poultry. The hormone used in dairy cows is recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH).

The level of tolerance differs in each individual and there are many factors that determine who is susceptible to increased risk of cancer. We cannot blame any illness on one particular food. I love cheese and it is a good source of protein, but all cheese is not created equal. Choose your cheese wisely according to your particular tolerance and taste. Cheese can be a part of a healthy well-balanced diet and most people will be fine if consuming no more than two servings per day. As with everything else we consume, moderation is the key.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement

solutions for your business efforts, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is written by Ivy Ray, Senior Procurement Specialist at SafeSourcing Inc.

We are all trying our best to stay safe and healthy in this COVID-19 world by following all of the recommendations for proper distancing from others, wearing protective masks, and washing our hands so much that they have dried out. I even tune in to watch our governor’s daily updates which begin and end with the phrase “We’re all in this together”, and regularly check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for any new developments. That having been said, we are all basically on our own at this point, because the CDC can neither control nor prevent any of the issues related to COVID-19. Even the most well informed and well intentioned of us will have trouble navigating the system of ever changing guidelines.

According to the CDC, there are laboratory tests that can identify the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens. State and local public health departments have received tests from CDC, whereas medical providers are getting tests developed by commercial manufacturers. They go on to say, not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19.

There are not nearly enough test kits available, so screenings are reserved for the frontline caregivers and the critically ill. For everyone else (celebrities excluded), if you have awareness of exposure or are experiencing symptoms, your only option is to shelter in place and hope for the best. Keeping in mind there is currently no treatment specifically approved for people who have COVID-19. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

It’s a fine line with no clear guidelines. COVID-19 testing differs by location. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. No one wants to either expose others or be unnecessarily exposed to a deadly virus, so we sequester, listen, and wait. That brings me to where I currently find myself.

After experiencing symptoms for about 10 days, I decided to log in to confer with my healthcare provider through MyChart and request an eVisit to discuss my symptoms and ask for a consult. Twenty-four hours later I received a call from the office assistant to set up a call with my family physician for the next day. A day later, I finally engage in the physician consult and since they do not have access to testing supplies, I am treated as though I have Coronavirus and I am provided with prescription meds to alleviate symptoms and advised to self-quarantine which of course I was already doing. In light of the stories I have witnessed during the last couple of months, I am just happy to be still alive. This is us!

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business efforts, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.