Root Cause Analysis: Adopting Standard Practices for the Food Industry

Jun 5, 2024 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Eastern Time)

Webinar Description

Revolutionary inventor Sakichi Toyoda pioneered the concept of root cause analysis (RCA) by simply asking “why?”, and then asking it again and again. This “5 Whys” concept was first applied in the 1950s by the company that Mr. Toyoda founded: Toyota Motor Corporation. Since then, a variety of RCA techniques have been developed, standardized, and applied across the manufacturing, aviation, and healthcare sectors. In 2020, the FDA launched their “New Era of Smarter Food Safety” initiative which highlighted RCA as an important tool to prevent foodborne illness.
The symposium starts with a basic introduction to the principles and practices of RCA. Next, current RCA practices in the food industry are explored with the results of an FDA-funded benchmark analysis, followed by a presentation on the implementation of RCA directly from a major food manufacturer. The symposium will conclude with an FDA review of the agency’s current efforts to standardize and invigorate RCA.

Learning Objectives:
By attending this webinar, participants will
•Develop a general understanding of RCA.
•A specific understanding of how RCA can, is, and will be applied to food safety.
•Learn about FDA’s current and future plans for RCA in the regulated industry.