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2009/SOM2/SCSC/WKSP2/003
Darden Global Food Safety
Submitted by: Darden Restaurants
Examination of Hot Issues in Risk Analysis
Workshop
Singapore
1-2 August 2009
Darden Global Food Safety
Ana Hooper
August 2, 2009
Total Quality Mission
In alignment with our Brand’
Brand’s objectives, provide Darden Restaurants
with a competitive point of advantage, in terms of:
 The highest levels of food safety
 The cleanest restaurants
 And food and beverage quality that always meets the
Darden product specifications
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Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Darden is the world’s largest full service restaurant company
– Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse
– Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52

1,720 company owned and operated restaurants in over 1000
North American communities

Employs more than 180,000 people in 49 states, Puerto Rico and
Canada

Serves over 400 million meals to US customers annually

Purchases from over 2,000 suppliers in the US and 35 countries
3
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Supply Chain Vision
Restaurant Support Excellence
Superior Team
“Category Experts”
Global Supply with
World Class Vendors
Superior Processes &
Systems (IT /
Purchasing)
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
SUPERIOR QUALITY, SERVICE, INNOVATION & VALUE
TEAMWORK
SUPERIOR FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY
5
Darden Supply Chain
Food Safety Management and Control Process

Typical Product Safety Checks:
– Long after harvest, processing,
distribution
– “Random” testing at end
– Inhibits feedback for process
improvements

Darden Inspection at the Source:
– Inspect product and processes at the source
– Provide immediate feedback on food safety
– Complete microbiological/chemical testing before
products are shipped to the U.S. using FDA
approved methods
– Lot numbers and traceability systems ensure
product tested is product received
Darden Process
Raw
Material
Suppliers
Manufacturers
Distributors
Restaurants
Guests
Food Protection – Darden
Inspects at the Source
Data into information
Continuous system improvements
Timely problem identification,
resolution & communication
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Darden Restaurants
Global Food Safety
FOOD
FOOD SAFETY
SAFETY IS
IS OUR
OUR #1
#1 PRIORITY
PRIORITY

International Team of Food Safety and Quality Professionals
– Over 50 Biologists, Food Scientists, and Public Health Professionals
Located Around the World
u 17 Field Plant Inspectors in US and 10 foreign countries who inspect
food plants, products and processes
u 20 Field Total Quality Managers who review and certify in-restaurant
processes
The best way to ensure quality is to go to the source
 Utilizing a Risk Based, Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points
(HACCP) Approach
Ensure:
– Food safety practices are integrated at all levels of the supply chain
– Highest level of security to the Darden supply chain (domestic &
international), with traceability from pond to plate / farm to fork
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Darden Restaurants
Global Food Safety
FOOD
FOOD SAFETY
SAFETY IS
IS OUR
OUR #1
#1 PRIORITY
PRIORITY
Total Quality Risk Based HACCP Focus:
Darden and Third Party Verification of Quality and Food Safety
u
– Building food safety into the process vs. inspecting food safety into the product
Process controls at the source
Ô
Ô
Ô
Ensure food safety through raw material and production process controls
Clearly Defined Product Specifications
Plant Inspections/Process Validation
– Supplier and Darden verify products meet specifications utilizing FDA approved
methodologies in select 3rd party laboratories
u
Identify key food safety risks and test for them
Ô
Ô
u
u
Microbiological testing
Chemical testing
– Darden Quality Specialists act as teachers and consultants at the production sites
Data analysis to drive continuous process improvements, ensure regulatory compliance and crises
resolutions
Ensure traceability and visibility for recall control and corrective actions
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Total Quality Processes – Strategic Steps
Guests
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Darden Restaurants
Global Food Safety
Benefits of Point Source Inspection
●
Inspection program shifts to the “source” ; becoming proactive vs. reactive
●
Results in safer, more consistent products
●
Industry proactively engaged in food safety education and supplier training
●
Focus resources on least developed supply sources
Darden Comprehensive Food Safety Model
Food Safety Education


Extensive network of external consultants
Darden Food Safety Inspectors act as
teachers/consultants
Supplier Engagement
Processes and Tools
• Development of Good Mfg. Practices
• Clearly defined product specifications
• HACCP
• On-site process validation
• Point of Origin Inspection
• Food Safety Data Monitoring and
Corrective Actions
CONSUMER
SAFETY
Industry Leadership
• Crisis Management
• Problem resolution
• NRA QA Executive Study Group
• Recall Capability
• United Fresh Produce Association
• Food Safety Leadership Council
Government and
Regulatory Partnership
• Tomato Councils
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• Traceability & Visibility
Service Excellence
• GAA/NFI Standards Committee
• Produce Marketing Association
• Monitoring supplier data for continuous
improvement
• Conference of Food Protection
• FDA, USDA, CDC
• State Public Health Associations
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Thank You!
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