The Deloitte Center for the Global Food Value Chain recently debuted as a source of insights and analysis designed to help companies in the food industry understand the changing regulatory environment, reduce risk and address supply chain issues. Along with its debut, the Center issued a series of research papers to help companies comprehend and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The following research reports are available online :

• Food Safety. A year in review: 2012 issues, challenges, and forward momentum
• The Need for Food Defense in the Post-9/11 Era: Can the Risk be Ignored?
• Conflict Minerals: The 10-minute guide
• Supply chain risk strategies for emerging markets: Understanding the importance of risk

According to James C. Cascone, principal, Deloitte & Touche LLP, co-leader of the Deloitte Center for the Global Food Value Chain and national leader of Deloitte's food & product safety practice: “Preventing foodborne illnesses is at the heart of today's sweeping regulatory reform of the US food industry. FSMA's biggest challenge may be the adoption of mandatory compliance programs that exert a global reach.

"There is a need for improved supplier transparency globally, and enhancing product traceability throughout the value chain may impact business relationships, sourcing practices and growth strategies. The new regulatory environment may increase the cost of compliance, but also presents a unique opportunity for food and beverage companies to transform current operational practices and position their businesses for competitive advantage," Cascone said.