Food Services of America conducts an ongoing system-wide quality assurance program that provides inspection of, and care for, the integrity of the food products that we distribute on behalf of our vendors and suppliers.
While we operate a package in/package out distribution system and do not produce any of the products we handle, our quality assurance inspectors strictly follow procedures that surpass the most stringent food safety standards as required by the USDA, FDA and state regulations.
While we cannot govern our supplier quality assurance procedures nor can we conduct laboratory testing on the products we sell, we do procure products from manufacturers that adhere to USDA/FDA HACCP regulations.
We also work very closely with state and local departments of health in engaging immediate product recall procedures.
Avian Influenza
Food Services of America’s Crisis Management team meets regularly to analyze current action/communication plans associated with incidents as they arise, including a pandemic event caused by Avian Influenza.
Current information from organizations like the World Heath Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state that Avian Influenza virus H5N1, cannot be transmitted via cooked chicken. At Food Services of America, we have a screening process to ensure further that all vendors selling products to FSA adhere to only the highest food safety and security standards to best protect our customers.
According to WHO and other sources, Avian Influenza virus H5N1 primarily affects birds, but there have been cases where it has affected humans after direct contact with infected birds. Because H5N1 is not easily transmitted from birds to humans, proper handling procedures prevent such transmission.
As discussed in the news, the “threat” of a global pandemic will only occur if the H5N1 virus mutates to one that spreads easily from person-to-person. Public health experts agree this worst-case scenario is possible.
Food Services of America is monitoring surveillance and news around the world with the intention of sharing information with other institutions, including healthcare systems and food providers. Should an Avian Influenza pandemic occur, Food Services of America will take immediate action to protect our associates, their families and our business.
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control
Avian Influenza Information
Company Policy on BSE (Mad Cow Disease)
In response to the discovery of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or "mad cow" disease concerns, we want you to know that Food Services of America purchases steaks, roasts and ground beef from vendors who make it their practice to not allow nervous system tissue or meat derived from these materials as ingredients in these products.
Our suppliers of steaks, roasts and ground beef are all USDA inspected vendors.
They tell us that the products they sell to FSA come from producers who raise their cattle in accordance with the 1997 USDA regulations that prohibit animal proteins to be added to the feed.
The aggressive surveillance, import controls and feed restrictions in the U.S. will ensure that U.S. cattle and beef continue to lead the world in both safety and quality.
FSA will continue to source quality beef steaks, roasts and ground beef from vendors that follow the BSE regulations.