July 31, 2012

What is Food Safety Management?

We have to eat to survive, so each one of us is potentially at risk of being affected by various food related threats to our health.

Food safety management is a process that ensures to reduce the risk from unsafe or unsuitable food. The system is a combination of interrelated procedures, activities and recommendations about equipment and processes used to ensure food is safe and healthy. Moreover, an important part of this system is a specific set of guidelines and policies.

Any organization that is involved in the food business, manufacturing or in restaurant management, must define a food safety policy statement. The statement should detail the general intentions and goals of management to work towards food safety. It will underscore the organization’s commitment to an effective food safety management culture.

There are many agencies working in this area to make food safety obligation a part of this system. These 3rd party audit programs are designed to keep consumers safe from food related illness.

3rd party audit programs provide advice to businesses about do’s and don’ts’s to ensure food safety is taken care of and food served to customers is not only safe but fresh as well.

3rd party audit programs look at methodology/ working style / kitchen training and following recipes details. A food safety auditor will cross check every step and process that is implemented by the organization and then provides feedback on proper food safety documentation based on their observations and recommends how further improvements can be made. The whole process is strictly confidential.

Providing safe and healthy food should be the key focus and objective for any food related business. From time to time negligence, avoiding overheads and reducing cost takes precedence over food safety and quality. It’s been observed that benefits from maintaining food safety far outweigh not doing the same in terms of better customer loyalty, business reputation and good will.

James Shepherd from Food Safety Systems is registered as a regulatory 3rd party auditor for the NSW Food Authority (verification no. 24733). He also holds the National Food Safety Auditor (level 4) from RABQSA (no. 111946). With 25 years' experience in the food industry, extensive knowledge and practical experience in aged care (including aged care management and head chef experience), Food Safety Systems are able to ensure a consistent approach when auditing aged care facilities. Please visit http://www.foodsafetysystems.net.au/ for more info.

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