Friday, July 31, 2020

Consulting Services Are Now Offered Online!



At Superior Food Safety we want to make sure that during and after this unfortunate crisis, your company has immediate access to our expertise to help your team make sound decisions on the changes and maintenance of your food safety program. We want to ensure that you do not lose sight of the basic food safety requirements to keep delivering safe quality food to the consumer. SFS-ONLINE can provide you with the following remote and/or on-site* services:

  • Food Safety and Quality Consulting by the hour for Decision making on high risk or Critical issues
  • COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies
  • HACCP review
  • Temporary retainers to fill in the absence of food safety key employees (HACCP coordinator, SQFP, PCQI, Sanitation Manager, etc.)
  • Food Safety Plan (Preventive Controls) review
  • Validation studies
  • Verification Activities
  • Virtual GMP Inspections
  • Virtual Internal Audits
  • Virtual records review and audits
  • HACCP Team meeting participation
  • Crisis Management and Recall Team Meetings participation
  • Food Defense Intentional Adulteration Plan Development
  • Emergency Approval of Non-Approve Suppliers to cover supply chain disruptions
  • Emergency Approval of Coo-manufacturers to enhance manufacturing output due to increase on demand
  • SQF, BRC, FSSC22K program Implementation and maintenance

*The safety of your staff and our consultants is our priority; therefore, we will not provide on-site services unless it is absolutely necessary.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Q&A: Pandemic Puts Worker Health & Safety, Leadership Skills and Business Adaptability at Forefront

The food system can move forward with less disruption only when the industry has leaders who understand the intricacies and the ripple effects of the challenges it faces, says Jennifer van de Ligt, Ph.D., director of the University of Minnesota Integrated Food Systems Leadership Program.


Issues with the health of frontline workers, supply chain disruptions, and changes in consumer behavior are just a few vulnerabilities that the food industry is experiencing as a result of COVID-19. Food Safety Tech recently had a conversation with Jennifer van de Ligt, Ph.D., director of the University of Minnesota Integrated Food Systems Leadership Program and Food Protection and Defense Institute about the hurdles that the industry is experiencing and where we go from here.

Food Safety Tech: What challenges is the food system facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic? Where are the vulnerabilities?

Jennifer van de Ligt, Ph.D.: The food system is facing primary, secondary and tertiary challenges right now. I see two main drivers as disruptors as a result of COVID-19. The health and safety of employees is the first primary driver. As COVID-19 has more broadly spread through the U.S., ensuring the health and safety of employees in the food system has become essential; however, the pandemic has shown us the food system has struggled with that.

The other big primary challenge facing the food system has been the swift change in consumer behavior. Pre-COVID-19, nearly half of food was consumed away from home. When restaurants closed, and stay-at-home orders were in place, it put extreme amounts of pressure on our food retail segment, causing supply and demand issues.

Regarding the health and safety of employees: We’ve seen meat processing struggle with production demands because the health of their employees has been impacted by the virus. In mid-April, the beef and pork capacity in this country went down by over 40%. They are making great improvements and are approaching normal harvest capacity range for both [beef and pork production]. Meat cuts being produced are slightly different than normal, as this part of the meat plants are very labor intensive. This has really highlighted the need to make sure that we keep the health and safety of our food system employees front and center.

Now that the meat supply chain is beginning to recover, we’re also beginning to see increasing effects on non-meat supply manufacturing. This isn’t isolated to food manufacturing; as we experience broader community spread, COVID-19 will impact all aspects of our food system.

On consumer behavior: As consumers shifted to food retail, immense pressure was quickly put on our food supply chain logistics, manufacturing timing and processes, the speed to warehouses and delivery, etc.

One example that demonstrates a challenge in manufacturing and consumer demand is the difference in volumes for food services versus retail. I like to use the example of shredded cheese. At a grocery store, you’ll find a one-pound pack, but shredded cheese in food service might be in a 10-pound bag. There are not a lot of consumers who want to buy a 10-pound bag of shredded cheese. Well, why can’t cheese manufacturers just package bulk product into one-pound packs? There are several reasons that don’t allow producers to pivot quickly: They may not have the machinery or packaging to do that. Also, changing packaging from food service to retail requires different labels and regulatory approvals. Examples like this led to many of the spot outages consumers found in grocery stores. In the produce sector, it led to produce being plowed under in fields because they didn’t have the distribution channels to go into retail instead of into food service.

In the Integrated Food System Leadership (IFSL) program, we’ve recently discussed food equity and food injustice as a result of COVID-19. As food retail became stressed and unemployment increased, we saw a huge demand for our food assistance networks. Because food retail is one of the primary contributors to the food assistance networks, there wasn’t enough volume being donated. In addition, food service foods are not appropriately packaged to go into the food assistance networks and food banks, similar to the issue in moving to food retail. This led to tremendous pressure and innovative solutions to source and distribute food to a newly vulnerable population.

As we look ahead into the coming months, many of the vulnerabilities in the food system will be the same. We have to continuously monitor the health and safety of our employees to keep our food system as a whole functional. There’s a growing recognition that our primary agriculture workers are also at risk—the people in fields harvesting and planting. There are many groups providing recommendations on how to protect agriculture employees and communities where they work and reside.

We’ll see continued adaptation in the food system to the new reality of how restaurants and food service engage with their consumers with the shift in behavior to limited restaurant dining and increases in online ordering.

FST: In what areas do food manufacturers, processors or growers need to adapt moving forward in order to thrive?

Van de Ligt: There are several. First, I think this crisis has really brought worker health and welfare to the forefront, and there will be more emphasis on the essentiality of food system workers. They were previously a behind-the-scenes workforce. The issue of worker health and welfare is going to accelerate in many industries, but I also see a push to more automation. The human workforce is necessary, and people do a really wonderful job, but are there areas that might benefit from automation? I think those go hand in hand.

I also think the global food system needs to rethink how it remains resilient. In the past, there’s been a focus on resilience and efficiency through economy of scale. That still exists and may look different moving forward. Using the meat industry as an example, that economy of scale was also its biggest weakness that had gone unrecognized. Going forward, I think there are many companies that are going to consider alternative supply chains. Should multiple, smaller plants be utilized instead of one large plant to provide a more resilient framework for production? Other companies are going to think about installing equipment or processing lines that could more quickly pivot between food service and food retail. There’s also a huge opportunity now for local and smaller markets to really make an impact as people look for alternative supply chains and sources. We found that many of the local food markets and co-ops, especially those that provided into food service, pivoted pretty quickly to pop-up online marketplaces to provide food direct to consumer. I think we’ll see that trend increase as well.

In order to feed billions of people worldwide, it’s essential that the food industry take a broader systems approach versus the siloed approach path we’ve been using. The pandemic has highlighted how the food system is an intricately functioning balance and requires collaboration. Our food system will only be able to move forward faster with less disruption when we have food system leaders who understand the intricacies and the ripple effects of the challenges we face. Leaders who understand the impacts of decisions outside of their sphere will be essential to plan for impacts from natural disasters, another pandemic, etc.—and to create a more responsive and resilient food system in the future.

Article Source: https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/qa-pandemic-puts-worker-health-safety-leadership-skills-and-business-adaptability-at-forefront/

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Register Now for Our August Workshop - Implementing SQF Systems: Manufacturing - SFS Online


Wed Aug 5, 8:00 AM - Thu Aug 6, 5:00 PM (PDT)

Zoom Live Meeting

Cost: $750


Superior Food Safety is hosting this timely and important workshop on SQF Food Safety training.

Course Description - What You’ll Learn:

Provide and improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by GFSI auditors, food industry professionals and internal auditors on:

Food Safety Management Systems
Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Agricultural Practices
HACCP Program
Review ISO-19011 Auditing Principles
Gain an understanding of the GFSI schemes (SQF, BRC, FSSC2200, Global G.A.P.) from the auditor point of view

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

SQFP, Food Safety Professionals, Sr. Management, Suppliers, Food Safety Auditors, Support Staff.

This course is designed to provide current and new SQF Practitioners, Sr. Management, Production Personnel, and their team members with the tools and knowledge to develop and maintain their SQF food safety management system and understand the process for aligning with FSMA regulatory requirements.

Price includes class & registration fee

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

SFS-ONLINE LIVE TRAINING CLASSES

We are proud to announce the release of our Online Virtual Classes and Online Consulting Services. CLICK HERE to register for classes.


August 5, 6
SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing Edition 8.1
$750


August 7
Internal and External GFSI Audits Workshop
$465


September 16, 17, 18
FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI)
$775



Sunday, July 19, 2020

We Offer Public and On-Site* Training Classes


Classes Available in English & Spanish and Consulting Services

WE OFFER PUBLIC AND ON-SITE TRAINING CLASSES:
  • HACCP Workshop
  • Implementing SQF Training - Version 8.0 - English and Spanish
  • FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods
  • FSPCA For Human Food Compliance
  • Produce Safety Rule Training Official Program
  • SQF Quality Systems For Food Manufacturers
  • Internal and External GFSI Audits
  • Crisis Management
  • Gluten-Free Certification Program
  • SQF Advanced Practitioner Course
  • Prerequisite Programs
  • FSVP Foreign Supplier Verification Program

WE ALSO OFFER:
Food Safety Consulting Services

On-Site and ONLINE LIVE private classes in English and Spanish. Please email us for a quote: info@superiorfoodsafety.com

 *The safety of your staff and our consultants is our first priority, therefore we will not provide on-site services unless it is absolutely necessary.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

FDA Expects to Release Blueprint for New Era of Smarter Food Safety Soon

The blueprint will also include lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.


Expect the much-anticipated blueprint for FDA’s New Era of Food Safetyto be released soon. The agency has not provided an exact date but in an update prior to the July 4th holiday, FDA stated it would be rolled it out “in the coming weeks”.

“The challenges we’ve faced during the pandemic have made it clear that the goals we set forth in the New Era blueprint are more important now than ever. Some of them, like enhanced traceability, are particularly meaningful in light of recent events,” Frank Yiannas, FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, stated in an agency consumer update. “What we have learned from the pandemic is that we’re on the right track with the New Era of Smarter Food Safety. The steps that we’ll take will prepare us to protect the safety of our food supply, no matter what challenges we face.”

In addition to the focus on emerging digital technologies, traceability in the supply chain, ensuring safety in the home delivery of food (e-commerce), and food safety culture, FDA will be including the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the blueprint structure.

Article Source: https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/fda-expects-to-release-blueprint-for-new-era-of-smarter-food-safety-soon/

Monday, July 13, 2020

Consulting Services Are Now Offered Online!



At Superior Food Safety we want to make sure that during and after this unfortunate crisis, your company has immediate access to our expertise to help your team make sound decisions on the changes and maintenance of your food safety program. We want to ensure that you do not lose sight of the basic food safety requirements to keep delivering safe quality food to the consumer. SFS-ONLINE can provide you with the following remote and/or on-site* services:

  • Food Safety and Quality Consulting by the hour for Decision making on high risk or Critical issues
  • COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies
  • HACCP review
  • Temporary retainers to fill in the absence of food safety key employees (HACCP coordinator, SQFP, PCQI, Sanitation Manager, etc.)
  • Food Safety Plan (Preventive Controls) review
  • Validation studies
  • Verification Activities
  • Virtual GMP Inspections
  • Virtual Internal Audits
  • Virtual records review and audits
  • HACCP Team meeting participation
  • Crisis Management and Recall Team Meetings participation
  • Food Defense Intentional Adulteration Plan Development
  • Emergency Approval of Non-Approve Suppliers to cover supply chain disruptions
  • Emergency Approval of Coo-manufacturers to enhance manufacturing output due to increase on demand
  • SQF, BRC, FSSC22K program Implementation and maintenance

*The safety of your staff and our consultants is our priority; therefore, we will not provide on-site services unless it is absolutely necessary.

Friday, July 10, 2020

Superior Food Safety is Hosting a HACCP Training Workshop on July 23 & 24 - Register Today!!

Basic HACCP Workshop for Manufacturers - SFS Online 

Cost: $570 


This class will be presented by Oscar Camacho on the Zoom platform. This class is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday July 23rd and Friday July 24th. The link to the Zoom call as well as the links to the phone numbers to use will also be provided to you prior to the class.


Course Description - What You’ll Learn:

  • Provide the attendee with the tools to build the company’s HACCP food safety program.
  • Satisfy the training requirement for certification.
  • Understand the basic principles behind Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
  • Provide the attendee with major government regulatory requirements and industry information.

Who Should Attend:

Owners, Managers, Chefs, Sous Chefs, servers, and employees of Food Service and Retail business, especially very small, small and medium-sized according to the following non-inclusive list:

  • Food Industry Senior Management
  • GFSI Leads (SQFP)
  • Operation and Production Managers
  • Quality Assurance Managers and Supervisors
  • HACCP Coordinators
  • Supply Chain Management Personnel & Purchasing Managers
  • Auditors
  • Food Plant and Facility Managers
  • Risk Management Managers
  • Government and Food Regulatory Personnel
  • Food Safety and Quality Management Consultants

Price includes class & registration fee

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

All-In-One Software for Growers and Food & Beverage Manufacturers


Superior Food Safety has partnered with Icicle Technologies Inc. to bring Icicle, a smart food manufacturing software, to the food & beverage and the growing industries.

Icicle is an advanced food manufacturing software that enables growers, food processors, producers, and distributors to manage most aspects of their operation. Icicle is not merely a digital document storage – Icicle has the power to generate documents and files such as HACCP plans, SOPs, GS1-compliant barcodes, certificates of analysis, and much more.

FOOD SAFETY

• Automatically generate full HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP plans

• Establish complete food safety programs and achieve the highest level of food safety

• Comply with regulations such as Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

• Acquire and maintain 3rd party certifications, such as GFSI certifications like BRC and SQF

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Happy 4th of July!


"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!" 
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Food Safety Challenges and Opportunities Unique to CEA Leafy Greens



Food Safety Challenges and Opportunities Unique to CEA Leafy Greens 
June 16, 2020 

Food safety experts discuss what makes controlled environment agriculture different from a food safety perspective, and what the Coalition is doing to develop standards specific to controlled environment leafy greens production.