Food Safety

Summary

The transcript discusses the food safety measures implemented by Club Chef, a company that invested $60,000 to achieve third-party food safety certification. This was prompted by government regulations requiring certification for businesses not selling directly to the government. The company documented all processes to ensure safety from pathogens like salmonella. They also implemented a trace-back system to locate the origin of any produce issue. Regular leaf samples are tested for E. coli, and if clear, the same section is used for three days before retesting. The process increased costs and workload, requiring additional staff to maintain food safety standards.

Takeaways

• 💼 The speaker's company invested around sixty thousand dollars to achieve third-party food safety certification.
• 🛠️ They had to modify their packing house to meet ecole and salmonella safety standards.
• 📄 Extensive documentation was required and implemented to ensure traceability and compliance with food safety regulations.
• 🔍 A traceback system was established to locate the source of produce within five acres in case of any issues.
• 🌱 The company takes leaf samples to test for harmful bacteria like E. coli, which must be done every three days.
• 🚫 If E. coli is detected, they avoid picking from that section for the next three days.
• 💸 The additional costs of food safety measures were absorbed without hiring extra staff, but it did eventually require an additional worker.
• 👥 Responsibilities for food safety were distributed among existing staff, including the packing shed manager and the cruise manager.
• 🔄 Regular retesting of leaf samples is necessary to maintain food safety standards.
• 📈 The investment in food safety has led to improved processes and documentation, though it has increased operational costs.

Q & A

What was the reason for Club Chef to invest in third-party food safety certification?

Club Chef invested in third-party food safety certification because the government required it for those who do not sell directly to them, to ensure food safety standards.

How much did Club Chef spend to achieve third-party food safety certification?

Club Chef spent approximately sixty thousand dollars to achieve the necessary food safety certification.

What changes were made to the packing house to ensure food safety?

The packing house was modified to ensure safety from contamination, specifically focusing on preventing salmonella and other foodborne illnesses.

What documentation process was implemented to meet food safety standards?

Club Chef implemented a comprehensive documentation process to record all procedures and practices, resulting in a substantial amount of paperwork.

How does Club Chef ensure traceability of their produce?

Club Chef maintains traceability by being able to identify the exact location, within five acres, where each vegetable, such as tomatoes or cabbage, is sourced from.

What sampling process is in place to check for contaminants like E. coli?

Club Chef takes approximately 80 leaf samples that are tested for E. coli. If the samples are clear, they can pick from that section for three days before retesting.

How often do they have to repeat the sampling process for contaminants?

The sampling process for contaminants has to be repeated every three days to ensure ongoing safety.

What was the impact on staffing due to the new food safety measures?

While no additional staff were initially hired, the implementation of food safety measures eventually required at least one extra person to maintain the standards.

Who is responsible for food safety within the organization?

Different roles within Club Chef are responsible for food safety. The person who runs the packing shed and the person who runs the cruise are among those tasked with ensuring food safety and documentation.

How has the investment in food safety affected the overall operations of Club Chef?

The investment in food safety has led to increased documentation, traceability, and testing, which has impacted operations by requiring additional staff time and resources.

What are the financial implications of the food safety measures for Club Chef?

The financial implications include the initial investment of sixty thousand dollars and ongoing costs associated with sampling, testing, and additional staffing.