Columbus A/S : Invest in a business system to increase food safety

How does your food company manage climate change, globalisation and stricter regulatory requirements? Never has it been more important to have a business system that can handle many different parameters.

What's the worst thing that could happen? For a food manufacturing company the answer is often that products have to be recalled - an event that causes a stop in production and damages the brand. In the worst case scenario, this could mean that the company's entire operations are threatened.

You can minimise that risk by being prepared and having full control of each and every stage of the production. If anything goes wrong, you can quickly identify the cause, contact customers and decision-makers, and then isolate the event. Thus, secure, fast and well-developed business systems can be the key to food safety in society.

Here are four ways that high-performing business systems may have a decisive role in the future of the food industry: Increase sustainability and reduce food wastage

Customers and decision-makers alike are placing greater demands on food and beverage producers to increase sustainability. The UN's sustainable development goals from 2015* state that we need to create a more sustainable future for all and create the conditions for 'Zero Hunger'. A business system can help your company to contribute to those goals through greater production efficiency.

Complex regulations require complex systems

Government authorities and major resellers are imposing increasingly stricter rules regarding food safety. At the same time, they require more detailed information about production. They need to be able to follow foodstuffs from field to fork, making traceability an important component of your company's business system.

Unpredictable events can impact your company's food safety

The globalisation of food production has introduced more risks. Pandemics, flooding, fires: your company must be ready for all manner of unpredictable events. Which is why it is essential to have complete control of every element of production to reduce the number of production stoppages.

Customers demand transparency

It is not only government authorities and major resellers that want greater insight into the production of foodstuff - customers also want to know how, when and where their food has been produced. You can read further information on the benefits of transparency and traceability within the food industry here.

Would you like to find out more? This guide will help you understand how you can increase your company's food safety:

External links and references to sources:
Take action for the sustainable development goals (UN)