In the foodservice industry, security is critical to protecting customers, brand reputation, and ultimately, bottom line. Food that is not stored or handled properly can cause serious illness, even death. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that an average of 1,600,000 people fall ill every day from unsafe food. That’s why World Food Safety Day aims to promote food safety globally and celebrate the efforts made to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Today, technology is revolutionizing food safety practices by enabling centralized and automated solutions. This has led to exponential growth in digital food safety across the industry. In fact, the growth of digital food management solutions from 2021 to 2026 is projected to be $2.39 billion, with the food safety segment being the largest contributor to market growth.
In addition to protecting customers, there are many other factors driving the need for digital food safety solutions, including rising food costs, job challenges, compliance standards, and increased engagement and regulations government, along with the growing demand for data-driven processes across the food and beverage industry.
One transformative technology driving food safety initiatives is the Internet of Things (IoT). In the spirit of World Food Safety Day, let’s take a look at how IoT is helping with food safety initiatives while providing other critical business benefits in the process.
Automate temperature monitoring
It’s no secret that the digitization of processes offers tremendous value across industries, with worldwide spending on digital transformation reaching US$1.59 trillion in 2021, an increase of more than 20% over the previous year. last year. In foodservice, the digitization of processes such as temperature monitoring and on-site food storage logging via IoT-enabled automation offers many benefits. Eliminates the need for staff to manually monitor and log cold storage area temperatures “by hand” using paper logs or spreadsheets. By leveraging IoT-powered sensors in refrigerators and freezers, temperature data can be automatically collected, transmitted, and centralized into intelligent systems. Save time by decreasing the manpower needed for back-of-house (BOH) operations, freeing your staff to focus on higher-value activities like serving customers and improving overall operational efficiency.
With IoT-enabled digital temperature monitoring, alerts can be automatically sent to operators if temperatures fluctuate above or below required levels, allowing for immediate corrective action. In the event of refrigeration breakdowns or if doors are left ajar, this proactive approach ensures that temperature fluctuations are dealt with quickly, preventing the costly repercussions associated with spoiled food running over overheads. Additionally, this proactive monitoring helps companies meet food safety and compliance regulations. According to a study by the CDC, one in six Americans becomes ill each year from contaminated food and drink. With foodborne illnesses costing the United States an estimated $15.6 billion annually, he points out that automated temperature monitoring is essential for digital food safety.
Additionally, more sophisticated sensors can ensure that temperature data is logged during power outages and that backlog data is properly accounted for, which is especially important when outages occur during the night or after hours. Without monitoring, these outages could go unnoticed, potentially leading to serving food stored at unsafe temperatures. Automatic temperature monitoring allows for continuous monitoring, even during unmanned hours, and reduces the risk of human error common with manual practices.
Promote cleanliness and improve custody processes
Of course, when it comes to catering, safety goes beyond the dishes that come out of the kitchen. Everything from air quality to employee and customer hygiene must be prioritized. However, staff shortages and budgetary constraints have made these security practices difficult in recent years.
According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association conducted in November 2022, 62% of operators say their restaurant does not have enough employees to support the demand from existing customers. The same source reported 8 out of 10 restaurateurs with vacancies that are difficult to fill. In an age plagued by staff shortages, automating custody practices can help restaurants do more with less, saving valuable time and money. For example, the use of smart, connected washroom technologies, such as sensor-enabled paper towels, toilet paper, and soap dispensers, create operational efficiencies by reducing manual processes while promoting cleanliness and hygiene. Rather than using a time-based cleaning schedule, sensor-enabled technology can alert staff in real-time when restrooms require cleaning or dispensers require refilling, reducing waste, creating better customer experiences and increasing retention of employees. Other technologies for connected toilets include connected flush valves and faucets, which offer modern and efficient experiences for everyone, while reducing water consumption.
The use of connected paper towel and soap dispensers in food service establishments also plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety compliance by promoting good hand hygiene among staff, a key practice to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and ensure food safety. Regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provide guidelines and regulations for proper hand hygiene in food handling and preparation. These guidelines include requirements for hand washing with soap and water for a specific duration, appropriate hand drying methods, and when hand washing should be performed. By automatically notifying staff when paper towels and soap need to be replenished, the risk of running out of these essential items is minimized, ensuring handwashing stations are always stocked.
Future-proof operations with smart, connected restaurants
Ensuring food safety requires ongoing efforts from foodservice professionals, but with the help of technology solutions like the IoT, they can proactively improve the safety and well-being of customers. By leveraging these solutions, the food service industry can take positive steps to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term health, both now and in the future.
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