Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a US-based global independent safety science company, has launched a new food safety process validation service.

The new service provides a simple and transparent way for food manufacturers to comply with the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) requirements for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) validation.

UL Global Food and Water Businesses general manager Hank Lambert said that with the increased scrutiny from consumers, media and regulation, delivering safer food products has become an important issue.

"By leveraging UL's expertise, food manufacturers can ensure that USDA-FSIS requirements are being met and their HACCP plan is implemented, enforced, and used daily," Lambert added.

UL's new food safety process validation service helps meat and poultry manufacturers meet the government requirements and safeguard against hazards throughout the supply chain. Trained UL auditors validate each component of the HACCP plan's adequacy for both scientific documentation and practical demonstration.

UL provides a detailed written report of the validation to establish that the plan is in compliance or address any gaps that may result in a food safety hazard. UL will work with the organization to recommend improvement measures, if needed.

As part of the USDA-FSIS requirements, the companies must validate their HACCP plan's adequacy in controlling food safety hazards and verify that the plan is implemented correctly. The food manufacturers should also reevaluate the adequacy of their HACCP plan at least annually and whenever any changes occur that could affect the hazard analysis or alter the HACCP plan.