Running a business can involve strict regulations and guidelines, especially those operating in the food industry.
The food processing industry like any other can be busy. However, this can mean there is the potential of standards slipping during busier periods.
Those who run a business involving food processing need to ensure that an effective process is in place to help improve food safety in every instance. Failure to do so could mean a fine at best, or business closure at worst. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid this.
The following are five ways of improving food safety in the business, and how to ensure effective food safety measures are in place.
1. Ensure Measures are Taken Regarding Pest Control
Wherever there is food there is a risk of a pest infestation. As such, businesses need to ensure that their pest control is the best.
The measures taken to reduce the onset of pests can vary, but businesses should ensure that the premises used are cleaned regularly and all clutter cleared to ensure that there is less likelihood of pests setting up home on the premises.
It can be tempting to use traps and bait when catching pests, but you should be aware that this can take time, and despite the efforts being made, could mean the infestation worsens.
If you do have a pest infestation, then you need to enlist the services of a pest control specialist to take care of the issue and follow up to ensure the pest infestation has been dealt with effectively.
Not only will this give you confidence the business is free of a pest infestation but will be more cost-effective than trying to go it alone.
To ease this process, try out these free templates for your HACCP plan.
2. Take Some Time to Review Waste Management
Not only can waste be an invite for a pest infestation, but it can create an unhygienic and unpleasant environment when not managed in the right way.
There is so much to contend with within a business, it is understandable why waste management can be overlooked. However, if waste management is still something you need to deal with, it should be done as soon as possible.
How waste management is carried can depend on the outlay of the business. However, there should be a dedicated area where waste is placed, along with an effective waste management strategy. You should also ensure that the collection schedule in place can contend with the needs of the business.
This will ensure the workplace is hygienic, free from potential hazards, and minimize the potential of contamination.
3. Make Sure All Repairs are Up to Date
Regardless of the age of a property, there can be times when defects cause problems regarding food safety. Damage to the property is not only a potential invite for pests and rodents but can often be of detriment to those working with food.
A slight crack in the ceiling or a slowly leaking faucet may not seem serious in the first instance, but they could get worse over time. As such, as soon as a defect in the property is noticed, a repair needs to be carried out as soon as possible.
If you are not able to contend with the repair yourself, then make sure to enlist the services of a professional.
Although hiring a professional will incur a fee, the cost will often be less than the ramifications of pest control or spoiled food.
It is not only the property that needs to be focused on regarding repairs, as the machinery should also be checked regularly.
Items like freezers, conveyors, and tube systems can cause all types of problems of food if they are in disrepair. To ensure that all machines are processing food in a safe and hygienic, regular maintenance needs to be carried out.
4. Make Sure All Employees are Aware of Food Handling Practices
Although many employees will work hard to ensure that food safety is promoted in the business, there can be times when a lack of training means the process is being carried out incorrectly.
Fortunately, regular staff training will ensure that all employees are fully aware of the food handling practices of the businesses. If employees have any concerns or misunderstandings regarding the role, a business needs to know what they are.
As such, training should be easy to understand and allow workers to address any misunderstandings they may have about the role, as well as enforce best working practices. It can also be the perfect time to create tailored training plans.
If after several bouts of training you are still having problems introducing an effective food handling strategy, then it may be worthwhile considering other options, such as a digital food safety management system,
5. Take Advantage of a Digital Food Safety Management System
Many businesses are leveraging the benefits of the Internet, and the food industry is no different. Of course, there are tasks in food processing that can only be carried in a tactile manner. However, there can be many hours spent on creating documentation that employees can use.
Unfortunately, the information presented could be overwhelming for some, and can even run the risk of becoming outdated within a quick time frame.
As frustrating as this can be, there is an easier way of ensuring food safety is present in every instance.
FoodDocs is a digital food safety management system that helps businesses meet compliance with ease. As well as containing updated regulations from all over the world, users can also obtain real0tie data regarding any food safety issues.
Users can switch to the FoodDocs platform within an hour, and notifications and alerts ensure all food safety tasks are dealt with proactively. For more details check FoodDocs to see how your business can benefit from a digital food safety management system.
The methods listed are an overview of how a business operating in the food processing industry can ensure it is meeting regulations while improving the productivity of the business.
Changing an old way of working can take time, and there can be a learning curve when implementing new ways of working. However, with simple and easy-to-follow guidance in place, those in the food safety industry will find that they can meet their quota with ease, without forgoing the strict regulations in place.
