The Supply Side: General Mills food safety push, Hillshire’s new exec

• General Mills pushes food safety
General Mills continues work toward improving food safety efforts. As part of the company’s global responsibility report issued April 30, General Mills said it will adhere to strict food safety practices and seek out partners to increase food safety overall.

The food company said it is setting high standards for prevention, quality and investment.

In 2012 the company said it spent five times the amount on food safety that it spent five years earlier. At the end of each year it reviews areas where capital is required to address emerging needs.

“We work hard to prevent problems by building in quality and food safety from the start of our product design process,” the company said. “We maintain stringent internal standards and requirements to ensure safety across all processes and operations. To verify prevention, we conduct focused audits, risk-based surveillance and testing. We continually review our processes and procedures. Should a compromised product reach the market, we have well-established processes that guide our immediate response.”

More than 90% of the company’s total worldwide volume is manufactured in facilities audited and/or certified by an independent third party. General Mills noted it incurred five recalls during the year, all of which were voluntary and did not result in any consumer illness or injury. In 2012 no official actions or noncompliance issues of significance were identified by regulatory inspections, according to the company report.

During 2012, General Mills directly conducted more than 350 supplier and 150 co-manufacturer audits worldwide and also encouraged third-party audits and/or certification, such as the Global Food Safety Initiatives, as an additional preventive control measure.

General Mills also plans to expand the scope of its “supplier schools.” First launched in the United States in 2011, “supplier schools” are an opportunity for food safety subject-matter experts to present timely information on food safety topics. More than 350 participants gathered at the General Mills campus and facilities for the 2011 event to learn how to gain a differential advantage from the company’s ingredient supply chain. The “supplier school” was conducted in Asia in 2012, and earlier this year took place in Europe.

In addition to the “supplier schools,” General Mills said it is raising food safety awareness through webinars covering topics such as biological and physical hazard controls, allergen management and plant sanitation

General Mills is a long-time supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and runs a large sales office in Rogers.

• Hillshire Brands hires new chief information exec
Food supplier Hillshire Brands recently appointed David W. Stahl as its new chief information officer who will oversee the company’s information technology strategy and executive leadership teams. He will report to Maria Henry, chief financial officer.

“David has a proven track record of success and a strong background in quality and process improvement,” said Henry “David’s experience and strong leadership will be a great addition to our team.”

Most recently, Stahl was vice president of information technology at Tellabs where he was responsible for all aspects of the company’s global IT operations. Before that
Stahl worked at CommWorks, Emerson Electric and Matsushita Electric Corporation of America. He began his career at Defense Electronics Supply Center.

Hillshire Brands generates approximately $4 billion in annual sales and has approximately 9,500 employees. Its brands portfolio includes Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair, Sara Lee frozen bakery. Hillshire is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores with a local sales office in Rogers.