Food safety is a critical element of business success, but isn’t something you have to do alone. A food safety consultant can provide the support and expertise you need to thrive. As a small business owner, you have a lot to juggle. From recipe development to negotiating with vendors and buyers to posting on social […]
Tag: prerequisite programs
Audit Case Study: The Value of a Food Safety Consultant
Third-party audits are one of the tools used to keep our food supply safe and inspected. Larger stores and distributors often require proof of a third-party audit as part of their wholesale purchasing agreements. Therefore, as your food business grows, you need to be prepared to get one. A third-party audit is an audit conducted […]
Food Safety Self Audits Are Essential for a Safe Food Business
A food safety self audit is the best way to prepare for a food safety inspection or third-party audit. It’s better to catch issues yourself and fix them on your own time, instead of an inspector catching them and causing a plant shutdown or recall. Food safety self audits follow the same pattern as food […]
Don’t Be Scared of A Food Safety Inspection: How to Prepare and What to Do
As a food business, you likely get a regular food safety inspection done by your state or county and by the FDA. We know that these inspections can feel daunting. But, they don’t need to cause anxiety. With proper preparation, they’re an opportunity to improve your food safety practices . We all share the goal […]
Start with the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices to Build a Strong Food Safety Plan
Having a good food safety program is key to food business success. Yet, it’s hard to know where to start with creating your plans and documents. The FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are a set of standards that regulate food safety. They serve as a model for creating a successful food safety plan. The GMPs […]
How Strong are the SOPs for your Food Manufacturing Process?
SOPs are the core of your food safety plan for your food manufacturing process. Learn how to create strong SOPs.
What If
The one question I am always asking myself when I am writing food safety plans for my clients “What If?”: What if the temperature isn’t exactly at 165 F when cooking chicken? What if the sanitizer concentration is slightly less than the manufacturer recommends? What if the food safety plan is only followed for every […]
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality assurance and quality control are essential functions in a food business as they ensure that products that meet company specifications reach the customer. Read my latest blog post that explains what functions of a QA/.QC program and the advantages of having a QA/QC program. Small food businesses still need to carry out these functions and may use consultants to fulfill the role of a QA/QC manager. Enjoy!
Definition of Food Quality
Food quality is harder to define than food safety as it is product, consumer, manufacturer and regulator specific. This is why product specifications are so important.
Food from Unsafe Sources: CDC Risk Factor #5
The fifth CDC risk factor was “food from unsafe sources”. The article discusses approved supplier lists, and ingredient standards.