CEA Food Safety and the High Cost of Doing Nothing
As the CEA industry continues to mature, food safety has become a frequent topic in public forums and private conversations. This increased interest has been propelled by several foodborne disease outbreaks linked to CEA produce. Even so, proactive food safety practices still fail to keep pace in many CEA facilities industrywide.
These outbreaks have weakened the argument by some growers that controlled-environment production is somehow immune to foodborne disease risks. However, the perceived cost and inconvenience of implementing food safety measures remain common reasons for the lack of proactive protocols.
To gain a better understanding and a fresh perspective on the cost of doing nothing, CEAg World reached out to Dr. Darin Detwiler, LP.D. An internationally recognized authority on food safety issues, Dr. Detwiler has been an integral figure in the control of foodborne illness for more than three decades. He currently serves as Chair of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Food Safety Program Committee, participates in numerous advisory and editorial capacities, and consults on food safety issues with companies worldwide.
In addition, the International Association for Food Protection honored Dr. Detwiler with its 2022 Ewen C.D. Todd Control of Foodborne Illness Award for dedicated and exceptional contributions to reducing risks of foodborne illness. For CEA growers, owners and investors who are listening, the message is clear: Implementing robust food safety protocols can prevent foodborne illness outbreaks, and the cost of doing nothing significantly outweighs the cost of doing something.
Proactive Food Safety as a Financial Strategy
Aside from the humanitarian angle, prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks should be a business priority for CEA growers. Dr. Detwiler shared that more than 800 foodborne disease outbreaks are reported in the U.S. alone, annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 600 million cases of foodborne illness worldwide each year, including 420,000 deaths.
While CEA-related outbreaks are the minority compared to larger industries, financial risks associated with an outbreak are major.
“The financial impact of an outbreak includes medical expenses, legal fees, product recalls, and loss of consumer trust,” Dr. Detwiler said. “These costs far exceed the investment in preventative measures.”
Dr. Darin Detwiler
The cost of a product recall and a tarnished brand should serve as a wake-up call for proactive food safety throughout CEA.
“When a contaminated product reaches the market, the cost of recalling and disposing of the product is immense,” Dr. Detwiler said. “Consumer trust is vital in the food industry. A food safety incident can lead to a long-term loss of customer confidence, reduced sales and negative media coverage, impacting the brand’s value and market position.”
Dr. Detwiler cited a joint industry study by FMI and Grocery Manufacturers Association that puts the average direct cost of a food recall at $10 million from lost sales and potential regulatory fines, plus brand damage. Of course, investor confidence takes a hit alongside consumer trust.
Increased litigation and liability risks provide more fuel. Dr. Detwiler shared that the consequences of neglecting food safety include steadily escalating settlements or judgments, which add to financial instability. But they also include landmark prison sentences for executives and managers, which puts the cost of inaction in a very different light.
“By investing in food safety, companies can mitigate these risks and avoid the high costs associated with foodborne illness outbreaks and non-compliance,” he said. “Thus, proactive food safety measures are not just a regulatory requirement but a sound financial strategy.”
CEA Food Safety and Reliable Supplier Partners
Working closely with suppliers is crucial for companies in the CEA food production industry, Dr. Detwiler said. Two notable reasons are quality assurance and traceability.
“Consistent, high-quality inputs are essential in CEA, where environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity are meticulously controlled,” he explained. “Reliable suppliers ensure that seeds, nutrients and other inputs meet the required standards, directly impacting the quality and yield of the produce.”
Reliability of those inputs is a significant component in risk assessment and regulatory compliance.
“Partnering with trustworthy suppliers enhances traceability, an essential aspect of food safety. Knowing the origin of inputs allows producers to quickly address any contamination issues, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and protecting consumer health,” he said.
Dr. Detwiler explains that traceability will be critical as stricter food safety regulations and requirements take effect. Section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), enforced effective January 2026, mandates additional traceability record-keeping requirements for certain high-risk foods to protect public health. (And, yes, that FDA Food Traceability List includes CEA’s core food crops.)
“By establishing clear traceability requirements, FSMA 204 holds companies accountable for the safety of their products, encouraging more vigilant safety practices that, in and of themselves, will require CEA entities to work closely with all partners,” Dr. Detwiler said.
Collaborations with strong supplier partners can also enhance CEA sustainability, product innovation and stability. When suppliers align with your company’s commitments and goals, the advantages are immediate, from reducing carbon footprint and mitigating supply chain disruptions to improving efficiency, yields, product quality — and compliance.
“Working with certified suppliers ensures compliance with regulatory standards and certifications. This is particularly important in the CEA industry, where organic and other certifications can add value to the produce and meet consumer demands,” Dr. Detwiler said.
Technologies Impacting CEA Food Safety
Thanks to rapid advancements in CEA technologies, circumventing food safety issues is simpler and more accessible than ever. Dr. Detwiler mentioned advanced sensors providing real-time monitoring of environmental set points such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO2 levels.
“This precision helps maintain optimal growing conditions and prevents issues that could compromise food safety. Key to this is the ability to be proactive and even predictive in mitigating issues before they become incidents,” he said.
Data Analytics and AI also present significant opportunities to enhance CEA food safety.
“Machine learning algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to predict and mitigate potential food safety risks,” Dr. Detwiler said. “This includes identifying patterns that may indicate contamination or system failures before they become critical.”
From predictive maintenance and enhanced risk assessment to early disease and pest detection, these capabilities empower growers to reduce food safety risks.
Similarly, automation and robotics can work together to reduce human error and minimize the risk of contamination from human pathogens. If contamination occurs, blockchain technology enables unmatched supply chain traceability and transparency.
“This ensures that any contamination can be quickly traced back to its source, facilitating faster recalls and more effective responses,” Dr. Detwiler said.
Dr. Detwiler explained that technology and stringent legislation have worked together to substantially reduce the risks of contamination in CEA. Bolstered by assurances of regulatory compliance and food safety certifications, consumer confidence in the safety and quality of CEA produce has grown.
As the CEA industry moves forward and consumers become more sophisticated, adoption and retention of high food safety standards will be essential to consumer confidence and trust. Growers who neglect food safety will bear the high cost of doing nothing. Growers who invest in food safety will enjoy the high ROI that proactive food safety protocols will hold.
This article is part of our inaugural edition of CEAg World Insights. Click here to view the entire interactive report.