Mars Chocolate North America began construction on its first plant within the United States in 35 years in late August. The plant is being built in a park that is designed as a green manufacturing park. In building the plant, Mars is pursuing LEED gold status with the project, which means by the estimated completion of the project in 2013, it will have earned 60-79 points for certification.
A survey conducted by Food Manufacturing Magazine showed that not only are food manufacturing plants doing ok, 21% were planning a plant expansion within a few months and 48% within the next few years. Out of these planned expansions 68% of planned projects promised to produce plants that were more focused on sanitation and food safety. Other concerns included plants that were more energy efficient, more ergonomically designed to increase workflow, and more focused on food security.
President Obama created the Food Safety Group in order to advise the administration on how to upgrade food safety for the 21st century. The Food Safety Working Group is recommending a new and public health-focused approach to food safety based on three principles: prioritizing prevention, strengthening surveillance and enforcement and improving response and recovery.
(more…)
