DeCA, Defence Commissary Agency: Working Hard to Ensure Food is Safe

Shopping at your local military installation commissary can provide a very efficient and cost effective way to shop for families. Commissaries do not charge the local state or country sales tax that is applicable to shopping off base which in itself can help save families a lot of money depending, on which state or country they live in. But other than providing some financial benefits to its customers, what measures does DeCA (Defence Commissary Agency) take when it comes to food safety? The news seems replete with the latest stories about food borne infections and viruses. This is a very real worry to people, as they go shopping at their local commissary. Rather than concentrate on finding the most affordable groceries, customers also want to ensure their safety and that of their family's safety. That is where DeCA's food inspection process comes in.

According to the Western/Pacific Region's food safety policy: "When you purchase products from the commissary you can be assured that they have past through a multi-tired inspection process designed to safeguard and protect the food you bring home to your family."

Approved Purchasing Authorities

DeCA works hard to ensure that all food that is sold in its commissaries around the world comes from approved purchasing authorities. These approved purchasing authorities include FDA, USDA, USDC and the US Army Veterinary Command. Food bears the stamps of these authorities, which can help assure customers of the high quality of the food they are buying.

Daily Inspection

The food that is sold at the commissary will be carefully inspected before it even arrives at the commissary. When it reaches the local distribution centre, it will be inspected for quality, freshness and it will continue to be routinely inspected until the customer makes a purchase.

Medical Food Inspectors