3 Ways to Keep the Food Supply Safe

Food safety involves multiple processes that require careful planning and ongoing monitoring because several factors can alter food storage conditions. For this reason, a solid, successful strategy is needed. In this article, we will discuss the three key elements required to keep the food supply safe and your company in compliance.

Section 1: Invest in Security

A proper security system is central to the safety of the food supply. Of the current technology choices, video surveillance is not only an affordable choice, but it provides your business with a sensible investment. Video captures details that still photos may not, including sound. A security system that includes video cameras will protect your storage supplies by acting as an extra set of eyes. There are many reasons to consider a security system. A list of them is below.

Discounted Insurance Premiums

One of the most impressive benefits you can realize through the purchase of a security system for your business is the way it affects your annual insurance rates. Expect your insurance company to provide you will a discount or rebate of some kind as a result of installing a security system. This alone will make the initial investment even more affordable.

Proof of Illegal Activity

Any wrongdoing on your business premises will be recorded on your security system. It can provide you with proof of theft, video to verify accidents or any other incident where witnesses are needed but because employees were elsewhere, no one saw anything that can be helpful in an investigation. This is where video surveillance excels all other monitoring systems.

Track Traffic Flow

For marketing purposes, video cameras inside your business can be a helpful tool. They will give you evidence of what customers do and where they go when they are inside your building. This information can be used to improve the location of items inside your store that may become better sellers if relocated. Being able to track customer movement also reveals weak spots in security on-site.

Assist Your Employees

A video security system is good for your staff because it gives them extra backup should they get involved in some form of legal case. Angry customers, arguments, and other unrelated disputes can be verified and defended with the help of tapes from your security cameras. This protects your employees as well as your business from all kinds of abuse or damaging activity.

Section 2: Train Your Personnel

Another way to secure the food supply is to have trained staff working in and around the facility. Providing regular courses and training sessions to upgrade skills, builds a team that is ahead of the competition and an asset to your business or organization. The better trained your staff can become, the better job they can perform on behalf of their employer. Here are a few reasons supporting staff training.

Staff Retention

The replacement and training of staff will never end. However, if you provide your current staff with training they can immediately use on the job, they will be less likely to seek other job opportunities. By giving your staff upgrade courses you show them that you see your staff as an investment and valuable part of your business. This keeps staff happy to work for you.

Enhanced Performance

The training you give an employee becomes a lifelong enhancement to their job commitment. Not only is that trained employee better at what he or she does, but the education and skills acquired will also pick up their confidence and abilities. With a staff that has a better understanding of your business and industry, they can improve their specific job role.

Gives Your Business an Edge

In the current competitive business environment, the companies moving forward are those that are properly equipped to stay ahead. Trained employees will give your business the competitive edge that will move it forward to a position that sets the pace. A well-trained staff will do this by providing top-quality customer service and job performance.

Increase Profits

Probably the most important factor related to providing training for your staff is the financial impact it creates. With a trained staff that engages more, your business will see an increase in customers as well as greater customer spending by being encouraged to purchase additional items through upselling. This makes training costs a smart investment.

Section 3: Have A Good HACCP Plan

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It is a systematic food safety program that focuses on the biological, physical, radiological, and chemical hazards that can damage finished food products. Depending on your product line, the HACCP program may be a legislated requirement from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and/or the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). There are many reasons to implement an HACCP plan. Here is a look at a few of them:

Reduced Product Loss

Written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) form the foundation of HACCP.  They detail essential job tasks in such a way that if followed correctly, fewer mistakes occur.

Product Quality Increases

With potential hazards identified and controlled, you can confidently tell your customers that your products are safe. With the clean record that comes from reducing hazards, your company builds a better public image.

Consistent Product Preparation

When control can be applied to prevent a hazard, monitoring procedures are used to keep these points within compliance. This guarantees product consistency. Dickson observes in this guide that HACCP plans play an important role across the food industry.

In Conclusion

Keeping the food supply safe requires several different elements all working together to achieve the same goal. They include employee training, a solid security monitoring system, and the implementation of a HACCP plan. By adding these to your organization, you will see an increase in sales and develop a positive business reputation.