We hold ourselves accountable to fully implement our global food safety approach and continuously seek ways to improve the food safety system.  We maintain a dedicated Corporate Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs (CFSRA) group, which provides global leadership in food safety, regulatory affairs, animal health and quality assurance for Cargill businesses. Food safety leaders positioned in our business units are accountable for implementing CFSRA policies, procedures, and continuous improvement in these areas.   Cargill facilities and businesses are evaluated by a Food Safety Index, which evaluates areas of management systems such as HACCP and sanitation programs.

Our food safety approach, monitoring practices and requirements are defined and will be effectively communicated, not only internally but externally though to our vendors, suppliers and external manufacturers.   We hold our vendors, suppliers and external manufacturers accountable for fully implementing our requirements for them.  Cargill is piloting the Supplier and External Manufacturer (SEM) process, which Cargill developed to align Cargill businesses that have an impact on the food and animal feed supply to qualify and manage suppliers and manufacturers using one global process that incorporates food safety and quality practices.  The process is intended to reduce food safety risk, and keep people and animals safe.

Part of the food safety culture is continuous improvement.  In July 2011, Cargill opened a new $14.7 million-facility in Wichita, Kan., with research, development, culinary, laboratory, pilot plant and distribution capabilities. The research and development labs focus on food safety and quality.  In June 2011, Cargill opened a $12.6 million innovation center in Campinas, state of São Paulo (Brazil). The new complex was developed based on sustainable principles and houses technical teams from many fields of knowledge, including food safety training, inspection and measurement.