Food safety issues always play a prominent role in the media whenever a problem arises, but President Trump’s new US Department of Agriculture nominee, Sonny Perdue, might shed a little light on how the new administration will respond to food safety policies – and the food and beverage industry should pay close attention.

Purdue’s background in Georgia as a former governor just so happens to coincide with a foodborne illness issue back in 2009.  Dubbed the century’s most deadly foodborne illness outbreak, salmonella sickened over 700 people and killed nine after they ate peanut butter made by Peanut Corporation of America.  Purdue ordered an investigation, which determined the company was aware of the contamination, but still shipped the product.  Unfortunately, Perdue discovered that there were no state laws that covered what happened at Peanut Corp.  Purdue acted swiftly to help pass a law requiring manufacturers to immediately notify the state of any contaminated product.

What is striking about this move is the fact that it criminalized such behavior, and some critics have noted that it ushered in a whole new era of accountability in the food industry.  Now, company representatives can face prosecution for safety issues.  The legislation was considered a model for the industry at the time and some now speculate that Perdue will be more inclined to radically strengthen the Food Safety and Inspection Service based on his experiences in Georgia.

If so, that means more accountability for every food and beverage manufacture in the country.  Safety concerns need not be an issue, however, with the proper equipment.  Proper sanitary mixing equipment, such as a Komax Sanitary Static Mixer can insure that not only is the product uniform and of high quality, but the issues that come with contamination are virtually eliminated because of its superior design.  No matter how the legislation changes, the right equipment will always get the job done – safely.