Over the past few years, the agri-food industry has undergone significant changes. Constant consumer demand for new foods, changing habits and globalization are just a few examples of these changes. To remain competitive, the industry must constantly innovate and find ways to diversify and optimize operations.
In this whirlwind, one major point remains constant: food quality and safety. This is something we often take for granted. In restaurants or supermarkets, many of us assume that the food we buy or consume on the premises is of good quality and, above all, safe. However, despite all the efforts made by the industry and the various governments, the headlines regularly report infections and sometimes even deaths caused by food. In all cases of food poisoning, the authorities investigate, and the causes (or culprits) are identified. Action is usually taken very quickly to eliminate the cause of the food poisoning.
With the volume of food in circulation, authorities cannot see or control everything. In 2021, the responsibility for food safety is shared more than ever. All players in the food chain are involved in the effort. Many governments, including Canada, have modernized their regulations, processors and manufacturers are becoming certified and distributors and retailers are imposing more and more controls on their suppliers. It is easy to get lost...
I will not surprise anyone by saying that food safety is everyone's responsibility. Regardless of the sector, certification, or regulation, it is the sum of all the small actions and control measures taken on a daily basis that truly make a difference. Accreditation or certification is a step in the right direction, but it is not a guarantee of success. Beyond standards, food safety and quality must be part of a precise approach and aligned with corporate objectives. More than a simple insurance policy, a quality program is a real development tool that demonstrates an organization's commitment to itself and its customers. This is why there has been a lot of talk lately about fostering a corporate quality culture. In my opinion, as for many industry stakeholders, the implementation of a quality culture in each company must absolutely be done in synergy with the corporate objectives. To achieve these objectives, the support and leadership of management teams is essential. This is the very core of a quality culture.
The definition of objectives, the evaluation, and the selection of tools to reach these objectives as well as effective internal communication are all steps that may seem abstract but are nonetheless crucial. To start such a project on the right foot, the use of an outside, neutral, and objective eye is often the avenue that offers the best return on investment.
Since any good continuous improvement strategy must have well-defined operating parameters and control measures, ValkarTech works impartially with your managers to implement compliance and safety assessment systems for your facilities and products.
ValkarTech partners with the food industry to ensure product compliance throughout processing, without compromising quality, by optimizing operations to improve performance.