Food Safety With Smart Monitoring Systems
Food Safety With Smart Monitoring Systems How food suppliers, restaurants, cafeterias and other food services can implement reliable, low-cost monitoring solutions to ensure food safety.
Introduction In 2015 an enormous foodborne illness outbreak hospitalized 165 people, and four deaths were reported in California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. The outbreak affected California the most with 232 people sickened, and 38 states were affected in total. After investigation cucumbers that were imported from Mexico were a likely source of the outbreak, which enforced two recalls of potentially contaminated cucumbers which cost the company over $10 million (excluding brand damage and loss of sales). 48 percent of food companies surveyed can perform a recall within a few hours. The other 52 percent can take days or weeks to execute a recall. This is due to the 48 percent using modern technology to meet the requirements of food traceability compliance. The other 52 percent are using paper-based or partial automated systems to meet traceability regulations, such as the Bioterrorism ACT and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
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Food Safety Regulations Food Safety Modernization Act: Signed into law in 2011 due to many food safety issues, the FSMA establishes a new regulatory framework for all members of the food industry, such as farmers and producers, importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and transporters to prevent food-borne illnesses. This law gives the FDA the authority to enforce mandatory recalls and establish a food product tracing system. Bioterrorism Act of 2002: Authorizes the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services to take appropriate action to protect the nation’s food supply against the threat of international contamination by requiring food processors to identify the origin of all food and ingredients received. If requested, the information must be provided to the FDA upon request within 24 hours. Many companies within the food industry and government regulators are facing significant challenges with meeting the requirements of the FSMA. A main component of the FSMA regulation is temperature control and tracking food as it is prepared, stored, and transported. The FDA will hold food companies accountable for not only properly controlling food temperatures, but also monitoring and recording them through the entire process, from farm to fork.
Preventing Recalls If your company is the manufacturer of a recalled product, government agencies will want to inspect your records as well as inspect your operations for safety violations. The consequences other than brand damage result in fines and penalties, and in extreme cases, your operations may be shut down until expectations are met. Not only that, but the average cost of recalling a product is $10 million. Combining the direct expenses of a recall, lost sales, a damaged reputation, and lost consumer confidence spells B-A-NK-R-U-P-T-C-Y for many food manufacturers.
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Recall Types Class I - A situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death Class II - A situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote Class III - A situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm165546.htm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued almost 100 Class I recalls involving serious health hazards related to meat, poultry and egg products in 2015, a 130 percent increase from 2010. Class II recalls involving remote risks of health hazards in those products rose by about 70 percent during that period. Class I actions accounted for most FSIS recalls in the last five years. Source: http://businessresearcher.sagepub.com/sbr-1775-99830-2732713/20160523/ food-recalls-by-fsis-on-rise
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Ditching the Clipboard To implement a reliable system for food traceability, the first rule is to eliminate the paper methods. Producing products in high volume makes it impossible to track information with paper. Not only is it difficult to record everything, but locating and organizing the proper documents during a recall could take weeks to sort through. With today’s standards, a company is expected to take action within hours when food safety is at stake. The FDA requires records within 24 hours if requested or fines and other civil penalties are possible. With the regulatory pressure to achieve food safety accountability, 55 percent of food companies surveyed plan to implement electronic traceability systems within the next three years. The Internet of Things (IoT) is helping manufacturers reduce the impact of a recall and meet FSMA requirements by providing detailed monitoring and record keeping for commercial food producers and suppliers, and assure the safety of food upon arrival at its destination.
Monitoring Food In Transit For more than a century there have been high percentages of food spoilage and loss during transportation. In recent years, the food shipping industry has made great strides when it comes to shipping perishable goods across the United States. Regardless of how fast a product can be shipped, it still does not prevent the significant challenge of spoilage from occurring due to moisture loss, increased temperatures, and other causes. Food waste has always been a large problem for the food industry with costs adding up to being more than $35 billion a year, and wasting more than 25% of fruits and vegetables. The Internet of Things (IoT) makes it possible for food producers, transportation, and food service providers to work connected and guarantee timely delivery and safe food. With IoT solutions, companies across the supply chain gain the visibility needed to ensure food is of the best quality, delivered on time, and prepared in optimal settings. The FDA is now likely to require proof of quality at each checkpoint during the entire cold chain and shipping process to ensure there has been no disruption in the food’s safety.
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Example: Food companies that use internet-connected equipment can confirm food quality as it leaves the factory or warehouse. Fleet managers can then leverage wireless sensors to ensure temperature sensitive and perishable goods do not spoil while in transit. Any temperature fluctuations can trigger alerts that notify the driver and food supplier, who can replace damaged goods before they arrive at the customer’s dock.
Becoming safer, more efficient, and sustainable with HuMM Food companies must increase efficiencies, reduce costs and ensure compliance is met with food regulations across the entire supply chain. Companies using HuMM remote wireless sensors can confidently monitor, control, plan and optimize operational management processes in real-time. HuMM helps food related businesses meet stringent FSMA food safety regulations, protect their reputation and provide the best quality products to their customers. HuMM also allows for automation and optimization of food processes, freeing up employee time to take care of other tasks while eliminating human errors in recording data. Example: Employing HuMM sensors throughout the cold chain allows for continuous temperature monitoring, while automatically recording the data. Other than realtime data logging, HuMM Sensors are easily programmed to generate an alert if temperatures move outside a designated range. Whether a product is removed from a refrigerated area and is not promptly placed into a freight container, or if there’s a refrigeration malfunction that causes a temperature fluctuation, with HuMM you will have instant visibility and knowledge of a product’s integrity and safety. Monitoring your products is important not just to prevent food-borne illnesses, but to maintain customer confidence in your product and brand.
How the HuMM Solution Works
Wireless Sensor Wireless Sensor Wireless Sensor
Your Appliances, Machines, and Existing Devices
Wireless Gateway
Food Safety With Smart Monitoring Systems
Online Monitoring Software
Your Computer, Tablet, or Smart Phone
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The Solution The HuMM solution consists of wireless sensors, gateways and monitoring software, to offer a complete remote monitoring solution. Wireless sensors can be used to monitor various environmental aspects of your business as well as integrate with your existing equipment (such as coolers and appliances) to give you real time data. Wireless gateways act as a communication bridge between your wireless sensors and the HuMM Online Monitoring Software which allows you to view sensor information from anywhere, anytime through a computer, tablet or smart-phone. The HuMM software can also alert you immediately by email and/or text message, and can even call your phone if conditions that you set are met or exceeded. HuMM’s wireless sensor network (WSN) can be expandable from a single local area to a multi-site network with sensors anywhere in the world, as long as the sensors are connected to a HuMM gateway. The gateway will then transmit the data to HuMM’s cloud-based software which allows you to configure, monitor, and manage all of your locations from one network. HuMM has over 50 different wireless sensors types, and all have unique characteristics depending on their application to provide the solution you need. HuMM also delivers a variety of gateway communication options, such as cellular, Ethernet, USB and serial MODBUS to connect your devices to HuMM’s cloud software. Cellular, Ethernet and USB gateways are capable of connecting with up to 100 wireless sensors per gateway and serial MODBUS gateways can connect with up to 50 wireless sensors.
Features and Benefits • • • • • •
Easy to setup and use Reliable, proven technology Low cost Low power/long life Exceptional wireless range 50+ sensor types
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Food Safety With Smart Monitoring Systems
Scalable / Expandable (100 sensors per gateway) Global RF frequencies Cloud-based monitoring software Provides alerts by text message, email, or phone call Accessible 24/7 from anywhere Custom sensors available upon request
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Affordability A major ongoing problem for most companies is the lack of funds to implement an IoT strategy to meet FSMA regulations. More than 90 percent of food manufacturers have less than 200 employees, and many of those organizations are still using a pencil and clipboard due to the cost of advanced technology solutions. These small food manufacturers are being held to the same standards as the larger organizations, which may seem difficult with electronic traceability becoming an industry requirement. HuMM’s wireless solution can assist food companies of all sizes and effectively manage time-consuming tasks around food safety, and for a low-cost. Here are a few of the struggles, concerns, and responsibilities a foodservice professional can overcome with HuMM and the IoT: • Automatically track and record food storage temperatures • Reduce waste and spoilage • Save time and resources • Protect food inventory • Increase food safety
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Conform with regulatory compliance Become aware of food storage problems Extend food shelf life Improve guest experience and comfort Protect your reputation Monitor from anywhere
“Having a walk-in refrigerator fail really cost our business. It’s not just the cost of repairing the unit, it’s all of the food inside. HuMM’s wireless sensors were a breeze to install and the monitoring system is top notch. Now I get a text message whenever there’s an issue, so we can correct it before it impacts our business. If you run a restaurant, this is a no-brainer purchase!” – Brian C., Restaurant Manager
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Key Takeaways • A number of regulations and processes are mandatory within the food supply and service industries to ensure food safety. • Proper manual processes and documentation are time consuming, resource intensive and prone to human error. • HuMM's automated system can properly track and record temperatures through the entire process, from farm to fork. • HuMM systems can protect stored food inventories, preventing spoilage due to cooler or freezer failures by immediately alerting staff of any detected issues. • Food service businesses can realize cost savings by reducing waste/spoilage, freeing up employee time by automating manual documentation processes, and tracking energy use of coolers, freezers, appliances, HVAC systems and more. • HuMM's reliable remote monitoring solutions give you peace of mind by providing 24/7 access to your business from anywhere and alerting you immediately of any issues. • Implementing the Internet of Things in your business is easy and affordable! As regulations and competition grow, food suppliers and restaurant owners cannot afford to take risks when it comes to food safety. Suffering the loss of stock due to spoilage or spreading food-borne illness is an expense that a business may not overcome. Monitoring food temperatures will help prevent waste and provide safer and better-tasting food.
AboutH HuMM bridges the gap between industry and technology through the Internet of Things, empowering businesses with easy-to-use, low-cost remote monitoring solutions. HuMM solutions can be used to remotely monitor a variety of “Things” (i.e. temperature, motion, humidity, energy use, etc.), alerting you by text, email, and/or phone call when user-defined conditions are met. Our goal is to save you as much time, money, and stress as possible, by preventing issues with inventory, infrastructure, and more. As a Global Top 50 innovation leader in The Internet of Things (IoT), HuMM’s technology has significantly expanded the frontier of both what and how “things” can be connected, monitored and controlled. It is almost impossible to identify an asset, process or solution, from SMB to Enterprise, indoors or outside, commercial to industrial, that cannot be uplifted by one of HuMM’s 50+ reliable, affordable, tiny, powerful, wireless monitoring solutions.
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