Why Your Business Needs Digital Food Safety Software
From supermarkets to airports, hospitals to restaurants, guaranteeing food safety compliance is crucial for ongoing success. But most importantly, it means customers can rest assured that their food is safe to eat!
The need to meet stringent food standards and legislative requirements can often leave business owners feeling pressured, with some businesses struggling to keep up with the paperwork. That’s where reliable food safety software can provide opportunities for businesses to streamline their processes, improve efficiency, and most importantly, ensure high-level compliance with all food safety regulations.
What Are The Negative Impacts Of Poor Food Safety Compliance?
For most businesses, the thought of having serious food safety issues is pretty horrifying, of course prevention is the best approach, but if disaster does strike, there are 3 main consequences of poor food safety compliance.
1. Food Poisoning
According to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), foodborne illness costs Australia around 2.81 billion each year, with salmonella, campylobacter, listeria and norovirus topping the list of common culprits. The need to avoid food poisoning is the primary driver of stringent food safety management in Australia and New Zealand. Caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, food poisoning mainly occurs in situations where food has not been transported, stored, prepared or cooked properly. Common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, allergic reactions, headaches, stomach pains, fever or chills.
2. Brand/Reputation Damage
Aside from the serious matter of causing harm to people, the fallout from being the source of a food poisoning incident or product recall will have ongoing repercussions for your business. Loss of consumer confidence and likely a significant drop in sales are the two most common consequences, both resulting in long-term operational implications.
3. Legal Implications
Aside from preventing potential foodborne illnesses, not meeting the necessary food safety compliance requirements can result in improvement/direction notices issued by Food Safety Officers or more serious consequences such as requiring the business to cease operations and close, food recalls and even prosecution for serious cases of neglect.
What Food Safety Legislation Applies In Australia?
Developed to protect consumers from foodborne illness, compliance with Australia’s food safety regulations is a must for all food sector businesses. The Australia New Zealand Food Safety Code governs the standards around the safety of food to be consumed in Australia. The Code contains regulations for the following food safety requirements. For more information on this legislation, see the FSANZ website.
- Standard 3.2.1 Food Safety Programs
- Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements
- Standard 3.2.2A Food Safety Management Tools
- Standard 3.2.3 Food Premises and Equipment
- Standard 3.3.1 Food Safety Programs for Food Service to Vulnerable Persons
What Is A Digital Food Safety System And Why Is It Important?
Digital food safety refers to integrated software systems specifically designed to record, monitor, and report on food safety practices. These systems work on basic food safety management principles, providing up-to-date continuous access to information, including analysis, processing, and monitoring, that can be easily reviewed via an app installed on a variety of devices.
The importance of digital food safety management systems lies in their ability to provide up-to-date, real-time information that aids in the successful management of food safety risks. This means risks are more easily managed and any issues that arise can be addressed more efficiently – a significant bonus not only for operational efficiency but also for the safety of consumers, as no food manufacturer wants to risk harming or inconveniencing customers!
6 Key Features To Look For In Digital Food Safety Software
Food safety software typically includes features such as automated record keeping, real-time temperature monitoring, food storage management and task management. The software provides a centralised platform for recording and tracking food safety data, making it much easier to address any potential food safety issues. Some of the key features to look for in good digital food safety software are:
- User Friendliness. For the best results, it is essential to look for software that is easy to use. If staff find it difficult to use or confusing, they are less likely to get the most out of it.
- Temperature Monitoring. Many foods need to be kept at certain temperatures to ensure they remain safe for consumption. Food safety management should always include a variety of temperature monitoring capabilities both on-site and in transit.
- Batch Management. Tracking of all data related to batch production, including descriptions, ingredients, costs, potential food allergens and history.
- Centralised Platform. Having everything you need at your fingertips will mean staff can navigate the system quickly and efficiently, getting the most out of the technology.
- Task Management. An important feature to look for is the ability to manage and track food safety tasks. One aspect of this might be automated checklist generation, which allows you to customise task sheets according to specific needs and requirements. This is an excellent way to ensure everything gets completed on time.
- Audit And Compliance Reporting. One of the best features of digital food safety software is that it helps maintain compliance with food safety regulations. Look for audit and compliance tracking and reporting features along with actionable insights.
Top 5 Benefits Of Using Digital Food Safety Software
Using digital food safety software provides businesses with peace of mind when recording, monitoring and reporting on food safety issues, take a look below for just a few of the main benefits.
- Real-Time Monitoring. Digital food safety software’s real-time monitoring capabilities allow the system to highlight any food safety issues as they arise, prompting immediate action and avoiding more serious consequences, such as food spoilage.
- Greater Efficiency. Automating food safety tasks such as temperature monitoring greatly streamlines the process. This automation saves time by allowing staff to focus more on their core responsibilities, reducing wastage and increasing efficiency—ultimately saving your business money!
- Improved Accuracy. When using digital systems, the software collects and records its own data, minimising the risk of human error and working flawlessly 24/7.
- Centralised Data Management. Because all food safety data is stored in a centralised system, monitoring, analysis, and reporting are accessible anytime/anywhere, resulting in better decision-making and the ability to be more proactive in maintaining food safety standards.
- Better Compliance. Maintaining high levels of compliance with food safety regulations is a priority for any food-related business in NZ. Digital food safety software provides easy-to-use tools for tracking, documenting, and reporting on compliance tasks to ensure compliance and uphold safety standards.
Leveraging the benefits of digital food safety software ensures the highest level of food safety, protects customer health, and safeguards the company’s reputation. Need more information on how digital food safety software can help your business achieve its food safety goals? Give the team at Squizify a call today!
