The benefits of food safety management systems

Insights from processors and experts on why food safety management is especially essential in the food and beverage industry

Partech's SureCheck software — Partech offers SureCheck, which combines software, a mobile tablet and built-in temperature measuring devices to help companies collect, track and store food safety data for anytime, anywhere access.

*Photo courtesy of Partech*

employee using food safety software — Food safety software reduces duplicate data entry and automates processes by centralizing data collection, tracking and analysis for environmental, health, safety and quality initiatives within a single application.

*Photo courtesy of istock*

operations on food and beverage plant floor — Processors that use good food safety software can expect real-time metrics of what’s happening on the factory floor.

*Photo courtesy of istock*

Food safety management system requirements

The ISO 22000 standard contains the following specific requirements to be addressed by the food safety management system (FSMS):

Have an overall food safety policy for your organization, developed by top management
Set objectives that will drive your company’s efforts to comply with this policy
Plan and design a management system and document the system
Maintain records of the performance of the system
Establish a group of qualified individuals to make up a food safety team
Define communication procedures to ensure effective communication with important contacts outside the company (regulatory, customers, suppliers and others) and for effective internal communication
Have an emergency plan
Hold management review meetings to evaluate the performance of the FSMS
Provide adequate resources for the effective operation of the FSMS, including appropriately trained and qualified personnel, a sufficient infrastructure and an appropriate work environment to ensure food safety
Implement prerequisite programs
Follow HACCP principles
Establish a traceability system for identification of product
Establish a corrective action system and control of nonconforming product
Maintain a documented procedure for handling withdrawal of product
Control monitoring and measuring devices
Establish and maintain an internal audit program
Continue to update and improve the FSMS

Source: Vinca, LLC.

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Crystal Lindell has more than 10 years of journalism experience, and worked primarily at daily newspapers before joining BNP Media 2010. Before joining Food Engineering as the Managing Editor, she was the managing editor of a sister publication, Candy Industry Magazine, where she learned first-hand the joys of eating chocolate for breakfast. Lindell holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University.