What is The Role of Technology in Food Safety?
Technology is everywhere. Machines, cars, and phones all use some sort of technology, and this has become a fact of life. The food industry is no different. Technology has played a role in food safety for decades. With technology comes innovation and more efficient and effective industry.
One challenge faced by researchers, policymakers, and the industry is to develop innovative food safety technologies. One approach to achieving this is through the development and application of innovative technologies. These technologies ease the traceability of food products from farm to fork https://testo.nz.
But how does technology impact food safety in 2022? Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
Technology and Food Safety Culture
It is important for companies to know the steps they can take to ensure their food safety culture is strong. Part of being in the food industry means that you are held to a higher standard than other businesses. Adhering to the best practices, and being a good leader in the industry, means that your company is working to provide the best product and services to your customers. Food safety technology is one of the best ways companies can show their commitment to growth and development.
The fact is, most companies don’t have a management solution in place to improve their food safety culture, and that’s a big challenge. For example, most firms are still using paper forms for tracking and record-keeping. Companies need to consider the use of digital solutions to best protect their companies from foodborne illnesses.
Innovative Developments in Food Safety Technology
You might have been wondering how the future of food safety technology works. It turns out it’s all in the food itself. Developed food packaging can check freshness, and flavor, and detect food safety issues.
With the use of a connected food box, you can know when your groceries are about to expire ahead of time. This eliminates the need for manual tracking, and it could improve the safety of your food.
Here are key innovative technology developments that have revolutionized food safety.
Sensors
Sensors work by signaling when temperatures in coolers or freezers rise above safe holding temperatures. This eliminates the need to throw away food. The sensors connect to a computer system and are programmed to shut down equipment when temperatures exceed a safe level.
Digital Auditing Tools
Food & Beverage companies are looking for ways to improve the quality and safety of their products while saving costs and improving their day-to-day operations. In the food industry, most companies’ key performance indicators (KPIs) are based on food safety, food quality, food cost, and food waste.
Most food companies use a combination of paper records, manual audits, and an online databases. Yet, these traditional methods are not sustainable for today’s digital world. Innovative digital tools can now be used for food companies’ internal auditing systems. They are more efficient, cost-effective, and accurate solutions.
Keep in mind that the term “food audit” is sometimes used as a synonym for “food safety audit.” But, the original intent of the term is broader. Food audits can be done for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to compliance with food and drug laws, internal quality assurance, and food safety compliance.
Regardless of the reason for the food audit, a good food audit system should allow you to capture, store, access, and analyze data on food items, food product codes, suppliers, and other items of interest. When a business decides to install a food audit system, it must decide what it is trying to do and how it will use the data.
Mobile Solutions
Today’s younger workers are digital natives who have come of age with social media, smartphones, tablets, and instant access to the Internet. The digital technology that is second nature to today’s young adults is changing the rules of engagement for how food businesses connect with them on the job. By leveraging digital tools that can be used on cell phones and tablets, employers can make it easy and effective to engage their younger employees.
Food code apps have been made available by vendors to food service businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, and institutions. Mobile solutions have been designed to help food service operations better track food temperatures, offer food safety training, conduct inspections, and more.
Why You Should Use Technology to Ensure Food Safety
Adopting new technology is becoming a standard practice for businesses, and the food industry is no exception. As popular as apps and social media are today, businesses need to ensure that their products are safe and secure to prevent consumer lawsuits. With the introduction of new apps, such as smart sliders, businesses can make sure that their products meet the highest standards.
Here are reasons why you should use technology in boosting food safety.
1. Improve Consumer Awareness
One of the main benefits of using technology in food safety is to improve consumer awareness. Today, consumers are becoming more aware of the relationship between proper food handling and food safety.
For example, if a consumer sees an unpleasant video about food safety on a restaurant’s Facebook page, it may make them think twice about eating there. This can have a positive financial impact on the restaurant.
2. Maintaining Health Protocols
Washing hands is one of many important procedures to follow in the food service industry. Hand-washing is an essential task in the kitchen, where germs can spread. Restaurants must ensure that all employees are washing their hands. Despite their best efforts, yet, keeping track of this practice can be difficult.
The latest hand-scanning technology can help to inform employees when they need to wash their hands. This is through infrared sensors and biometrics.
3. Track Kitchen Temperature
Monitoring the temperature of the refrigerator is an effective way of preventing food-borne illnesses. The refrigerator is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a restaurant. It is, yet, also one of the most unreliable. The average restaurant refrigerator has a failure rate of at least twice per year. The failure of the refrigerator is one of the leading causes of food-borne illness, which must be avoided at all costs.
4. Track Daily Operations
A checklist is a very useful tool for a restaurant manager to complete daily tasks. It helps him to know the things that have to be done to achieve the goal. It also helps managers know what time all these things have to be done so that he can complete the daily task on time.
Conclusion
Technology has enabled us to develop safer, cleaner products. This helps to reduce human moral and ethical responsibilities. But, while food safety technologies are evolving, there is still much to do.