In the world of private label — where outsourced manufacturing operations are the norm, not the exception — recent food safety snafus should be cause for concern. After all, it's the retailer's good name that's at stake when something goes amiss along the supply chain. PL Buyer outlines the safety measures most crucial to a successful retail-supplier partnership.

Data from Chicago's Information Resources Inc. detail which food and non-food categories are reporting the strongest sales in private label. A comparison against total category activity also is provided.