Food recalls are devastating. They can tarnish the reputation of your organization, expose your company financially, and even put lives at risk. The food safety industry is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest technologies that are impacting the way we grow, harvest, process, transport, and distribute food products.
It’s safe to say that many Food and beverage brands have learned the hard way: It’s easier to prevent contamination than to recall and repair contaminated products. Although food recalls affect a relatively small minority of food and beverage businesses, they are more costly to business operations than you might think.
What are food recalls?
A food recall is when a food product is removed from the market due to concerns about food safety. Some common reasons for food recalls include:
– Bacterial contamination – Food contaminated with pathogens like salmonella, E. coli, or listeria is unsafe for consumption and must be recalled. This can occur due to improper handling, storage or sanitation issues during production or distribution.
– Undeclared allergens – Any ingredient that causes allergic reactions in certain people, such as peanuts or dairy, must be properly declared on labels. Undisclosed allergens lead to recalls.
– Foreign objects – Physical contaminants like plastic, metal, or glass introduced into the food product during manufacturing can also trigger recalls when found.
– Mislabeling – Incorrect information on food packaging regarding ingredients, nutritional values, etc. may prompt recalls to avoid consumer deception.
– Chemical/toxin risks – Pesticides, heavy metals or other dangerous toxins inadvertently introduced during production can lead to recalls to protect public health.
When a health risk related to a food product is identified, manufacturers work with regulatory agencies to voluntarily recall affected items from stores and consumers. Effective systems for traceability and recall management are crucial for food companies.
Unfortunately, Food recalls are often the cost of doing business. They hurt your brand, your customer’s health and can damage your bottom line if customers stop trusting your brand altogether. For these reasons, food recalls must always be on the top of your mind because you must always be able to: Share, Track, Automate and Respond (STAR)
S – Share information with vendors in your supply chain
T – Track your products
A – Automate and collaborate
R – Respond quickly to changes in regulatory compliance
Traceability has never been more important in the food and beverage industries. Over the past decade, high-profile recalls and foodborne outbreaks have educated consumers about the importance of knowing where our food is coming from.
So, when it comes to food, your customers expect nothing but the highest quality. Food recalls are an unfortunate reality that businesses must be prepared to handle. Whether or not your company has had any food recalls, ensuring you’re ready if this scenario occurs is a priority.
A product recall can have a devastating impact on a company. No one wants to have to remove a product from the shelves. By implementing stricter standards during production and utilizing ERP software, food producers and suppliers can ensure that they are producing and supplying the highest quality products for their customers.
Good companies need to be ready for anything. That’s why forward-thinking manufacturers can help prepare for and reduce recall risks by utilizing several important features in ERP software—including supplier management, inventory control, and reporting. Using the tools at their disposal, a company can mitigate liabilities and protect their brand to turn a potential crisis into a future filled with opportunities.
By implementing systems that ensure the mandatory checks and balances are met, food and beverage companies can avoid costly product recalls and with the right ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution in place, you’ll be able to spot contamination and handle recalls much quicker.
Most industries have specific software, and the food manufacturing industry is no different. As one of Europe’s most trusted enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, SAP Business One provides all the software you need to run your business, including functionalities like stock management, production management, purchasing, and accounting that are particularly useful for food manufacturing businesses.
With SAP Business One Industry Edition for food and beverage, you give yourself the tools you need to see and track products all the way from the farm, through manufacturing, and on to delivery. You will be able to respond quickly if a foodborne illness or laps in government inspections occurs, and remain confident in your ability to provide safe, quality products to your customers.
To better understand the benefits of implementing an ERP solution in your food business, contact us today!
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay ahead with industry trends and SAP news! Join our vibrant professional community for invaluable insights into the ever-evolving worlds of business and technology. Don’t miss exclusive content, thought leadership articles, and thrilling updates. Connect with us on LinkedIn today and enhance your industry expertise!