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ConcernTrak

ConcernTrak was founded by David Rosenthal.

During a 20-year career in the food industry he witnessed several major food recalls and recognized the need for improved food safety compliance and traceability systems.

11/14/2024

ONE OUTBREAK, INDUSTRY-WIDE IMPACT: STRENGTHENING EVERY LINK IN FOOD SAFETY

According to a recent NY Post article, the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak has created a significant downturn for the entire deli meat industry, impacting consumer trust and leading to a sharp decline in sales across multiple brands. Boar’s Head itself has seen sales plummet by nearly 50%, with many grocery stores no longer promoting its products in weekly circulars. This unfortunate event serves as a reminder that an isolated incident can send shockwaves throughout the industry.

More than ever, it’s critical for companies to adopt automated systems to rigorously monitor adherence to food safety standards. A HACCP plan is only effective if it’s fully implemented, and automated monitoring provides real-time insights to ensure compliance.

I feel bad for the deli meat companies that consistently do the right thing yet are now facing repercussions due to Boar’s Head’s actions. This truly gives new meaning to the phrase, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”

11/12/2024

HE SALMONELLA ARE STILL COMING... AND NOW LISTERIA HAS JOINED THE ATTACK!

Years ago, I compared food recalls to Paul Revere’s midnight ride—sadly, here we are in 2024, and nothing has changed.

We’re still barely better than shouting alerts from horseback!

The situation has worsened. It’s no longer just salmonella making headlines—listeria has joined the ranks, threatening consumers nationwide.
Despite the constant recalls, companies still use outdated systems. By the time the media catches on, it's often too late, people have been harmed, or worse.

Most recalls go unnoticed. The system is ineffective, relying on chance for the message to spread.

The technology to fix this exists, and it should be much further along.
In 2024, food safety alerts should be instant and targeted—not stuck in a Paul Revere-era system. What will it take for the industry to wake up?

We must use the tools we have now to protect consumers before it’s too late. Let’s stop treating foodborne illness like it’s inevitable.

10/06/2024

IGNORED WARNINGS: WHY DO SAFETY CONCERNS KEEP GETTING DISMISSED?
The other morning, I encountered a shocking safety hazard right outside my apartment. The roofs were being replaced, and heavy equipment was holding over 2000 pounds of discarded shingles about 30–40 feet in the air—directly above an entrance, with no caution tape, no barriers, nothing. When I brought this to the attention of management, I was told the property manager was too busy to deal with it and that "this is how it’s always been done."

Sound familiar Boars Head?

The pattern is clear: time and again, safety concerns are ignored because addressing them is seen as inconvenient or unnecessary—until disaster strikes. But let’s end this story on a positive note... When we raised our concerns at the corporate level, the situation was addressed and remedied quickly. In this case, it didn’t take much time or money to fix the problem. Being proactive rather than reactive is key. If caught early, most hazards can be addressed in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Hopefully, we can encourage more of this kind of response—taking action before disaster strikes.

Ben Franklin’s quote still holds true today: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

10/03/2024

IGNORED WARNINGS: WHY DO SAFETY CONCERNS KEEP GETTING DISMISSED?

This morning, I encountered a shocking safety hazard right outside my apartment. The roofs are being replaced, and heavy equipment was holding over 2000 pounds of discarded shingles about 30–40 feet in the air—directly above an entrance, with no caution tape, no barriers, nothing. When I brought this to the attention of management, I was told the property manager was too busy to deal with it and that "this is how it’s always been done."

Sound familiar?

The pattern is clear: time and again, safety concerns are ignored because addressing them is seen as inconvenient or unnecessary—until disaster strikes. But let’s end this story on a positive note... When we raised our concerns at the corporate level, the situation was addressed and remedied quickly. In this case, it didn’t take much time or money to fix the problem. Being proactive rather than reactive is key. If caught early, most hazards can be addressed in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Hopefully, we can encourage more of this kind of response—taking action before disaster strikes. Ben Franklin’s quote still holds true today: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

09/25/2024

HOW DID THIS SLIP THROUGH USDA & FDA CRACKS? TIME FOR REAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Boar’s Head recently announced the formation of its new Food Safety Task Force—a little late for that, but here we are—with a who's who of political regulatory royalty, including David Acheson and Frank Yiannas. However, let’s not forget that Frank Yiannas was at the center of the Abbott Labs debacle, where FDA officials’ warnings about safety violations were ignored, leading to the deaths of infants and a major recall. Given that history, I’m skeptical about whether bringing in the same players who failed to act in previous crises is really the solution here.

And where was the USDA in all of this? They have an inspector in the plant every single day—so how did such glaring issues go unnoticed? Or was it noticed, brought to management’s attention, and simply brushed aside with a directive to "make it work"? Correcting violations of this magnitude takes serious money. This plant is old and probably needed a full-blown renovation.

There’s a serious disconnect between regulatory oversight and what’s actually happening on the ground. It’s not just about being transparent now that the damage is done—it’s about accountability and preventing these disasters in the first place.

The entire food safety system, from top to bottom, needs a hard look, and this case is just the latest symptom of a much larger problem.

09/22/2024

"STILL WITH THE CLIPBOARDS?!" - A LOOK AT COMPLIANCE THROUGH THE LENS OF A 1970s DISASTER MOVIE

I’m taking a break this Sunday afternoon, watching one of my all-time favorite 1970s disaster movies, Mayday at 40,000 Feet! (remember those classic films with actors like Linda Day George and David Janssen?). If you don’t, check it out—TV movies at their best! They really don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

There’s a scene in the movie where I noticed something that made me do a double-take: clipboards hanging in the background. Yep, clipboards—straight out of 1976, still holding strong! And it hit me: aviation has come so far since then. Planes are safer, technology is smarter... but in so many industries, compliance tools still feel like they’re stuck in the '70s. Clipboards, paper logs, and outdated record-keeping... it’s like we never left that scene.

Even in food production, despite huge advancements in technology, we’re still using these old-school methods to monitor safety and compliance. The need for modernization is obvious, yet here we are, 48 years later, still checking boxes on a piece of paper.

Oh, and speaking of things that have changed—remember when flights had a smoking or non-smoking section? 😆 If we can move past that, surely, we can say goodbye to clipboards too!

09/21/2024

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR AN OVERLOOKED SMALL PROBLEM TO BECOME A BIG ISSUE?

In food safety, a small oversight can turn into a massive problem-FAST! Imagine a ceiling leak above a food production line, with liquid dripping down, only to be spewed over hams by a ceiling fan. It’s a clear violation, and without immediate action, it could result in widespread contamination and a costly recall.
With proactive systems, issues like this can be flagged instantly. The affected product can be identified, removed, and corrective actions initiated—all of which are electronically documented, validated, and verified. This ensures every detail is caught and resolved before a small problem becomes a big, costly crisis.

09/20/2024

FOOD SAFETY ISN'T JUST A RESPONSIBILITY - IT'S A REFLECTION OF A COMPANY'S VALUES.

Most organizations in the food industry take pride in their operations, investing in the right tools and systems to ensure the highest standards. However, when I came across this excerpt from a USDA report, it was a stark reminder that not every company takes that obligation seriously:

"Clear liquid was observed falling from a square patch in the ceiling. Ten feet from the patches, a black fan was mounted to the ceiling and was blowing the leaking clear liquid into the Blast Cell Hallway, where 9 trees of uncovered Assorted Hams were stored. These 9 trees were retained by inspection personnel. This indicates your establishment’s failure to maintain sanitary conditions." (USDA Report)

This isn't just an unfortunate oversight—it’s a clear breakdown in fundamental safety practices. And while some companies let these risks slip through, many are committed to doing the right thing. In an industry where reputation and trust are everything, it's crucial to prioritize solutions that prevent such failures before they happen. It will be interesting to see how the legal ramifications play out. Cases like this can have a wide-reaching impact, not only on the companies involved but on the industry as a whole.

"How many people will be turned off by deli meat in general?"

As food recalls rise, driven by issues like this, it’s time for the entire industry to take a closer look at the tools available to ensure real-time monitoring, accountability, and transparency.
Elevating the standard of food safety isn’t just necessary—it’s non-negotiable.

PS: And what's up with the missing "A" from the sign? Attention to detail, anyone? Can they still proudly boast...

"The Mark of Quality since 1905"?

09/13/2024

Ignoring Food Safety: A Billion-Dollar Warning

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at 4:03 PM, I sent a life-changing email warning food industry leaders about the dangers of non-traceability and pathogens like salmonella. At 4:07 PM, Stewart Parnell of Peanut Corp of America replied, "Thanks David, hope to meet you in Blakely soon." Six months later, his company caused 9 deaths, 850 illnesses, contamination of 2,900 products, and the largest recall in U.S. history—costing over $1 billion.

Now, Boar's Head's listeria outbreak has killed 9 more people, left 500 jobless, and devastated a town. Food safety must be taken seriously.

09/12/2024

How Today's Corporate Culture Impacts Food Safety

In today’s corporate landscape, the relationship between workers and their employers has shifted dramatically. The sense of dedication and loyalty that once defined the workforce has waned, with many employees feeling alienated and underappreciated. At the same time, companies often seek ways to cut costs, which can result in the replacement of seasoned veterans—people with invaluable knowledge of ground-level operations—with less experienced, lower-paid employees.

This disconnect is especially visible in the food industry, where those responsible for ensuring safety are often far removed from corporate decision-makers. The disparity between the corporate elite, who may have limited knowledge of daily operations, and the workforce on the frontlines, who are tasked with executing critical processes like food safety, is growing wider. This cultural shift can lead to corners being cut, not just in spending but in the practices that ensure consumer safety.

When the emphasis is solely on profit margins and efficiency, food safety can take a backseat. The insights and expertise of experienced employees are hard to replace, and relying on cost-cutting measures could jeopardize both product quality and public health.

It’s worth reflecting on how corporate culture plays a role in shaping not just the business, but the safety of the products that reach consumers. Food safety isn't just a technical issue; it's a cultural one.

09/07/2024

FDA Failings: Public Safety or Control?
Recent reports revealed numerous violations at a Boar’s Head facility, including mold, meat residue, and unsanitary conditions, all leading up to a deadly Listeria outbreak. Despite 69 documented issues, the facility wasn’t shut down. This reminds me of an experience I had on August 26,2013 with the highest-ranking official at the FDA, who dismissed my urgent concerns about pathogen contamination when a 22,000 lb. lot of Turkish pine nuts rejected by a major retailer found its way back into the market.
What is the purpose of the FDA? Public safety or control? Any thoughts on this critical issue—what do you think?

09/06/2024

In light of the recent tragic recall of Boar’s Head products, where 9 lives were lost and dozens more are seriously ill due to listeria contamination, I find myself reflecting on a conversation I had nearly 20 years ago with the nut industry. At that time, I raised concerns about the risks of pathogens in food production systems, only to see many of those concerns realized in later years, including the tragic Peanut Corp of America scandal.

The reality is, food safety protocols in many areas remain shockingly outdated. Paper and clipboard systems simply aren’t effective for preventing contamination, and the consequences can be devastating.

This is why I founded ConcernTrak—to offer a modern, automated solution for food safety compliance, temperature monitoring, and traceability. With today’s technology, there’s no reason we should be relying on methods that fail to protect the public.

It’s time for the industry to embrace innovation and take a proactive stance in ensuring that tragic events like these become a thing of the past. My thoughts are with all those affected by this latest recall.

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