How Tariffs Are Transforming Food Safety: Uncovering the Ripple Effects on the Food Industry

— OPINION —

By Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., MPH, EVP of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, The Acheson Group

On Tuesday, the U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on products coming from Mexico and Canada. Food safety experts are bracing for a ripple effect across the supply chain, making it a crucial time to pay attention.

Some buyers in the affected countries will likely turn to other markets to dodge these tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. food companies may decide to buy more from local suppliers to cut costs. This shift could create a rush in demand for domestic producers. But rapid increases in production can strain food safety practices, leading to potential safety issues.

With processing facilities working harder than they were designed for, there’s a risk that food safety standards will slip. As companies hire quickly to keep up with demand, meaningful training on food safety could fall by the wayside. Quality control systems, which work well under normal circumstances, may struggle if production spikes suddenly.

High-value imports like avocados, meat, and specialty cheeses will face a major economic shift. If legitimate import channels become too expensive, illegal black market operations may spring up. These underground routes bring fresh food safety risks. Products may reach consumers without proper temperature checks, and it’s hard to trace their origins. Falsified documentation will make it tough to recall unsafe items.

The risk of product substitution is another concern. When costs go up for premium items, suppliers might opt for cheaper alternatives without telling anyone. For instance, we could see regular produce labeled as organic to justify higher prices. Extra virgin olive oil might be watered down with less expensive oils but still sold at a premium.

To shield against these risks, food companies need to tighten their receiving processes. This means better documentation checks, stricter supplier approvals, and possibly even lab tests to confirm product authenticity.

It’s common for companies dealing with tighter profit margins to look for efficiency gains. However, this can backfire, leading to longer production runs without cleaning, which allows harmful bacteria to thrive. Additionally, failing to keep up with equipment maintenance can increase the chances of things going wrong during production.

The changes in the Canadian supply chain may not just be a temporary fix; they could represent a long-lasting shift in North American food trading patterns. New supplier relationships will be essential, and companies need to reassess their food safety practices as part of bringing on new partners. This may require a thorough review of processes to ensure that supplier verification meets higher standards, regardless of whether the tariffs stay in place.

To tackle these challenges, companies should consider:

• Carrying out vulnerability assessments on their supply chains to pinpoint where tariffs might pose food safety risks.
• Creating stronger verification processes for quickly onboarded suppliers.
• Reassessing critical control points under new conditions.
• Establishing testing programs for imported products that could be diverted to the black market.

As we navigate these turbulent times, it’s clear that understanding the interplay of trade policy and food safety is crucial. This takes expertise in regulations, technical assessments, and sound strategic planning. The stakes are high, and the safety of our food supply hangs in the balance.

For more insights on food safety and regulatory matters, visit [TAG](http://www.AchesonGroup.com).

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