@Risk

Most foodborne illness outbreaks are from non-produce food items, according to a new report from the Alliance for Food and Farming. The report, which analyzes Centers for Disease Control data associated with foodborne illness outbreaks, found that from 1990 to 2007:

• 88 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks were from non-produce food items. (See examples here and here.)

• 12 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks were associated with produce.

• Of this 12 percent, more than 10 percent  were associated with improper handling of produce after leaving the farm. For instance, 65 percent of outbreaks traced back to a produce item can be attributed to improper handling in a restaurant, most likely the result of cross contamination or improper employee hygiene.  Mishandling at community events caused 14 percent of the produce-related outbreaks, followed by mishandling in the home –which represents 13 percent of outbreaks associated with produce.

• 2 percent of produce-related outbreaks were associated with the growing, packing, shipping or processing of produce.

This is the second time the Alliance for Food and Farming has conducted a review of the CDC databases. The first review, based on data from 1990 through 2004, resulted in similar findings, indicating that illnesses associated with produce are still low despite some recent outbreaks. (more…)

Consumer spending in the US rose for a fifth consecutive month in February, according to data released yesterday by the Commerce Department.

To many analysts, including Russell Price, a senior economist at Ameriprise Financial Inc. in Detroit, this data suggests that factors are falling into place for a sustained recovery.

Earlier this month, there was similarly encouraging news in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business, which shows that the overall economy grew for the tenth consecutive month during February.

And, if you’re looking for even more “signposts of economic recovery,” see this Monthly Dashboard of Leading US economic Indicators, compiled by the Corporate Executive Board. (more…)

New data from TPI suggests that the number of outsourcing contracts awarded globally will rise in 2010 as organizations look for new ways to optimize critical business operations in an improving economy.

The TPI Momentum Market Trends & Insights 4Q09 Annual Report released last week predicts that the growing acceptance of cloud computing, increasing interest in multi-sourcing, and emerging focus on governance and risk management will fuel outsourcing contract volume this year. Not surprisingly, the report also says these same factors will narrow the scope of individual outsourcing projects, driving down their value and duration and intensifying competition among service providers. In addition, I suspect a reliance on smaller deals and an enhanced commitment to social responsibility will emerge as major themes.

The report also found that: (more…)

Economic recovery has surpassed economic downturn in the list of business drivers for 2010, according to results of Capgemini Consulting’s new study of 300 leading companies across Europe, US, Asia-pacific and Latin America.

Specifically, the study found that: (more…)

Facing an unpredictable economic recovery, ever-expanding supplier networks, impending regulations and often volatile fuel prices, many companies today are struggling to contain transportation spend. After all, these days, successful transportation cost management means not only immediate survival, but also significant competitive advantage going forward.

So, how are today’s Best-in-Class shippers keeping costs under control while optimizing carrier and freight performance? What are the key capabilities needed to make transportation procurement and payment a winning strategic initiative? (more…)