Safety Management System Nambour Sunshine Coast
Although food companies must meet strict government standards in the storage, processing, and serving of food, there are food safety issues that may still occur. One of the more pressing concerns is the lack of an established safety management system in case of emergency situations such as the public health crisis currently happening. For those living and working in Nambour along the Sunshine Coast, suitable food safety should always be a high priority.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the entire world food supply under new scrutiny as a possible carrier of the virus. While correctly stored and prepared food prevents the contagion from being spread through consuming the product, there are still areas of health and economic concern that appropriate food management in emergency situations can address. By having the correct SWMS to follow and PPE available creates the safe environment needed to be comfortable in the workplace.
What should be noted is that COVID-19 is primarily spread from human to human contact. While there is some evidence that contaminated meat or contact surfaces on food may harbor the virus, that is of low concern given the short lifespan of COVID-19 when exposed in such a manner. However, the indirect impact on the food supply that the virus produces has been considerable.
Since the turn of the 21st century, food management safety systems have been evolving to help protect the integrity of food. From genuine hygiene practices, risk assessments, to analyzing for potential compromises in the food itself. Food companies have faced a slew of new regulations to help ensure that the products they offer are free of contamination. Government inspections evaluating the condition of food being stored, transported, and served has escalated considerably over this time.
Impact of COVID-19 with Food Safety
How the virus has affected food companies depends in large part on the actions that each company has taken in response to the virus. A recent survey revealed that upwards of 40% of food handling companies had no basic food safety systems in place beyond the requirements by law under normal operating procedures.
This means that nearly half the companies surveyed did not follow all checks such as checking their employees’ temperature or follow the health protocols as set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Because the virus can infect someone without any symptoms, it is quite possible that employees who were infected came to work and handled food products.
Admittedly, the chances that COVID-19 has spread in any significant way from food handlers to the general population is quite small. Along with the the correct freezing and preparation of food kills virtually all viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants that cause illness. But what is a cause for concern is the general lack of new emergency plans during a pandemic or other health crisis.
Establishing the best in food safety starts with a genuine safety management system and safety action plan that accounts for unexpected events and emergency situations. For those living or working in Nambour and in the Sunshine Coast in general, proper food safety starts with its handling, preparation, and serving under approved guidelines. Plus, emergency plans to create a safe environment, that are put into action when a public health crisis occurs.
For a complete Safety Management System and assessment contact Ross from HRB Consulting.
