From Farm to Thanksgiving Table: How Food Safety Audits Protect Holiday Traditions

As families across the United States gather around their Thanksgiving tables this week, most of us think about recipes, traditions, and the people we share them with. What we rarely think about is the incredible effort behind the scenes that ensures every ingredient is safe long before it reaches our kitchens.

At Intertek Business Assurance, this is exactly where our work begins. Far upstream, at the farms, processing facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers that make the holiday possible.

Thanksgiving is a powerful reminder that food safety is never accidental. It is the result of rigorous traceability, consistent hygiene practices, robust supplier assurance, and strict quality & safety controls across the entire supply chain.

From verifying how turkeys are raised and transported, to ensuring produce is handled hygienically, to checking the integrity of cold storage for dairy, meat, and ready-to-eat foods, every audit builds confidence at each step of the journey. Food safety risks don’t wait for a convenient moment to appear; they require proactive, systematic prevention, supported by teams who understand the complexity and responsibility of feeding millions.

Our auditors and technical experts around the world work tirelessly to provide the independent assurance that retailers, brands, and consumers depend on…not just during the holiday season, but every day of the year. Their expertise helps prevent contamination, reduces the risk of foodborne illness, and strengthens trust in the global supply chain.

This Thanksgiving, as we all enjoy our meals with family and friends, I am proud of the role Intertek plays in protecting these traditions. Behind every safe ingredient is a story of dedication, science, and quality, and it’s a privilege for our teams to contribute to something so meaningful.

For more information please visit, Food Safety Auditing and Certification. 

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.