Food safety is a constantly evolving priority. Recent crises highlight the need to adopt innovative technologies and processes.

Concern about food safety is increasing on consumers and authorities, so the pressure from the market and distributors on food producers is increasing.

1. New technologies

New digital technologies can help predict and avoid food safety problems and better detect and respond to problems when they occur.

To guarantee food safety, autosensors, blockchain, IoT and machine learning are used, the objective is to prevent and manage risks in the supply chain.

2. Multigenerational workforce

We seek to create a workplace where diverse, multigenerational teams can thrive and provide opportunities for skill development and career advancement at all levels. In this way, organizations can build a sustainable and resilient workforce.

3. High staff turnover

Food industry workers must have detailed training on the food safety protocols and procedures they must follow. Prioritizing the most important information to maximize efficiency.

However, employees have a high turnover rate, so if the training is too long, the time, effort, and cost involved in the process will not be worth it. For that reason, retention programs must have a focus on safety, offering attractive compensation and development plans.

4. Industry 4.0

Food and beverage manufacturers are using robots to automate tasks, virtual reality for machine maintenance, track and trace technology for better traceability and transparency.

Digitalization is seen as a positive way to transform food safety and make food safe and available.

Smart manufacturing provides opportunities to address potential food safety issues because fully integrated collaborative systems can respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory.

5. Transparency in the supply chain

Food traceability is a requirement for the food industry in order to avoid food fraud and preserve public health. Ensuring food safety is therefore an obligation of manufacturers and a right of the consumer.

In that sense, Blockchain technology revolutionizes food traceability. You can guarantee the traceability of a product, from the origin to the final consumer by reading Bidi Codes on the product label.

6. Tighter regulation

In most countries, responsibility for food control is shared between different agencies and ministries.

The roles and responsibilities of these bodies can be very different and duplication of regulatory activity, fragmentation of oversight measures and lack of coordination are a very common problem.

There can be large differences between different agencies in terms of specialized staff and resources available. And the responsibility to protect public health can conflict with obligations to promote trade.

7. Risk management

Risk analysis provides policymakers with the information and evidence needed to make decisions effectively and transparently. This helps improve food safety outcomes.

The risk analysis paradigm, composed of the elements of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication, is internationally accepted as the best to develop global food safety standards and systems.

 

8. Circular Economy

The circular economy contributes to obtaining safe food, integrating those physical, chemical and microbiological risks that generate a greater impact on food waste.

If not taken into account, it is possible that costs will increase due to not having sustainable production that guarantees the right to healthy food among future generations. The focus is on reducing the carbon footprint and using eco-friendly materials.

9. Risk-based thinking

This is the ability to identify early signals and emerging risks to food safety. Under these principles it is possible to provide timely warnings that allow the implementation of mitigation measures.

Therefore, it is vital for national and international authorities and organizations that deal with food safety. Consequently, it is essential to develop data analyzes for early detection and contingency plans.

10. Food Safety Culture

Food safety culture should be encouraged, supported, and strengthened on farms and food facilities, as well as in homes.

• Dramatic improvements cannot be made to reduce the burden of foodborne illness if something is not done to change human behavior.

A food safety culture is achieved by changing the way employees think about it and inspiring them to become committed to this goal in all areas and activities of their jobs.

Finally, teamwork that possess a creative thinking allows us to create a safer, digital and traceable food system that improves food safety, the quality of life of consumers and better prepares the industry for unexpected events that could affect the food supply.

By: Guillermina García

Source: foodtech.com