Food Safety Magazine, June/July 2012

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PACKAGING used on the packaging through to the final print phase, and stores all the images and specifications used for the product in an online library. This means that all materials are easily accessible, and the portal features a web-proofing functionality that automatically detects mistakes, making for rapid corrections. Private Workspace in the Public Cloud The portal let our teams work on the packaging and make changes simultaneously, helping us move through the process quickly. The portal creates a private workspace for each party online, so that they have control only over the parts of the process they’re responsible for. This feature is important to us from a security perspective and prevents users making changes to others’ work. Because this information is immediately available, we find that this makes managing multiple product lines more efficient. Furthermore, in the event a mistake is made and a product must be recalled, the portal helps us track these products quickly using their specifications. Because the information is electronically stored, we can easily reuse existing specifications to create entirely new products in the future. An important feature of how the packaging portal works is that each stage of the process must be validated by all parties using digital signatures. As authorizations are made instantly online, this attribute reduced the time everyone spent writing e-mails or making phone calls. The only time that we or our partners had to pick up the phone was if we didn’t agree to sign off on a particular stage of the process. Once the details were clarified over the phone, the section could then immediately be validated online. As with the undertaking of any large project, it was important that those responsible for each part of the process remained accountable for their work. Because the information is stored electronically and is always available, we can quickly identify mistakes and spend less time finding the root cause of the problem and more time solving it. This helps improve collaboration and further reduces the risk of incorrect information finding its way to the end product with the consumer. The packaging portal helped streamline the process and bring together workers with very different responsibilities and briefs onto the same management platform. The time we saved in administration and approval allowed the printers, designers and subcontractors to deliver their work effectively, and we could quickly proceed to the next stage in the development cycle. This process allowed us to redevelop packaging across more products much faster than we would using paper records. We successfully applied changes to over 20,000 products throughout both our food and nonfood product ranges over the course of 3 years. Using software as a service (SaaS) for our packaging process dramatically reduced both the cost and time associated with managing specifications across our M label product range. We were also able to improve our ongoing efficiency and develop our working relationships with third parties and external agencies. While improved collaboration has helped us deliver an entirely new range of product packaging and reduce the time of these products to market, the software could help facilitate effective product recalls in the future when needed. Effective Management of Product Recalls Incorrect information displayed on packaging is not only a problem in terms of confusing customers, it is also a violation of the law and the industry standards with which we as retailers must comply. While we make every effort to prevent mistakes being made in the first place, one incorrect piece of packaging information, like a wrong expiration date, can cause a significant problem. Once the product has been sent to print, not much can be done to stop it making its way to consumers until we are made aware of the mistake. What we can then do is quickly prevent further mislabeled products from reaching “Incorrect information displayed on packaging is not only a problem in terms of confusing customers, it is also a violation of the law…” the shelves and swiftly deal with those that have been affected by recalling them. To make this process as effective as possible, we must have the right information at our disposal and be able to access it readily. Since the packaging specifications in the previous process are stored electronically, we can quickly see which products have been affected and implement a recall. The industry as a whole needs to realize these benefits to minimize the risk of product recalls, as the news of a product recall can damage the reputation of the whole industry as well as the specific retailer concerned. We must now demonstrate that we in the food and beverage industry have done everything in our power to protect the consumer by faster product recalls in hours, not days. New Approaches Needed We are now under greater pressure to reduce costs and earn higher margins while delivering a wider portfolio of products that engage consumers in new ways. In this process, we cannot afford to risk avoidable packaging mistakes that damage reputations, violate our industry standards and ultimately put consumers at risk. SaaS in the food industry has proven itself fit to manage these different demands, reducing the chance of error without stifling the creative process. The food and beverage industry must ensure that it is innovative in the products it designs as well as in the ways it reduces risks and deals with product recalls. Our individual reputations stand together; product recalls from poorly managed packaging have the potential to damage the view of the industry as a whole, something none of us can afford in these challenging economic times. • France-based Monoprix is a leading European retailer of food and general merchandise, with more than 300 stores. 40 F o o d S a f e t y M a g a z i n e
It’s Your Job to Protect Your Brand’s Safety and Quality It’s Our Job to Make Sure You Have the Right Tools Explore products in categories like: Analytical Instruments & Systems Chromatography, Mass Spec, Protein Analyzers, Sample Prep, Spectroscopy Audits/Certification/Training Consultants Detection Systems Antibody, Molecular Environmental Monitoring Sample Collection, Surface Tests, Systems Facilities Air Filtration, Flooring Inspection Systems Metal Detection, X-ray Machines Laboratory Services Adulteration & Quality Control, Allergen, Analytical Chemistry, FDA Import, Microbiological, Natural Toxins, Nutritional Analysis, Residue/Contamination, Shelf-life Pest Control Services, Software Sanitation and Hygiene Hand, Boot & Body Washing Systems, Sanitation Systems, Sanitizers, Cleansers & Dispensing Systems Software Food Safety Management, Pest Control Test Kits Pathogen, Quality Indicators Testing Instruments Data Loggers, Humidity, pH, Temperature Food Safety Connect is the online marketplace for food safety solutions that brings it all together—reliable, useful information presented in an easy-to-use interactive format. Powered by Food Safety Magazine Connecting Food Safety Professionals with Food Safety Solutions
Page 2 and 3: There’s an App for That Download
Page 4 and 5: June/July 2012 Vol. 18, No. 3 FEATU
Page 6 and 7: Editor’s Letter It’s All About
Page 8 and 9: News Bites FDA Announces Final Stra
Page 10 and 11: News Bites 2012 Food Safety Summit
Page 12 and 13: GUEST EDITORIAL By Eric Mittenthal,
Page 14: Testing By Kara Baldus, M.B.A., and
Page 17 and 18: Testing in order since their presen
Page 19 and 20: Food Allergen Testing Almond · Bra
Page 21 and 22: Bringing Roka to your backyard. Rok
Page 23 and 24: SANITATION result of cells layering
Page 25 and 26: Focus on TRACEABILITY Recognize the
Page 27 and 28: Is your surface testing all it’s
Page 29 and 30: PROCESS CONTROL a busy loading/unlo
Page 31 and 32: PROCESS CONTROL tracking program. T
Page 33 and 34: PROCESS CONTROL Date Time Seal # Cl
Page 35 and 36: control your WOrLd with LIGHTNING M
Page 37 and 38: ReguLATORY REPORT tional ingredient
Page 39: October 28-31, 2012 McCormick Place
Page 43 and 44: Make food pathogen detection Super
Page 49 and 50: Our new Autoplate ® Spiral Plating
Page 51 and 52: Crisis Management: How to Handle Ou
Page 53 and 54: mitment to public safety and health
Page 55 and 56: MORE THAN JUST AN ATP SYSTEM... •
Page 57 and 58: SPOTLIGHT: MEAT AND POULTRY Technol
Page 59 and 60: Quality Assurance. Sept. 18-20 FOOD
Page 61 and 62: Category: BEVERAGES decide whether
Page 63 and 64: 6200 Aurora Avenue, Suite 200W | De
Page 65 and 66: CONSUMER TRUST able source of nutri
Page 67 and 68: CONSUMER TRUST Food industry claims
Page 69 and 70: what’s hiding Contaminants emerge
Page 71 and 72: Category: BEVERAGES product sterili
Page 73 and 74: Category: BEVERAGES Process step Ha
Page 75 and 76: Pathogen Detection Neogen Corporati
Page 77 and 78: SANITATION allow it to work for a p
Page 79 and 80: Focus on TECHNOLOGY (continued from
Page 81 and 82: Category: BEVERAGES Gordana Ristovs
Page 83 and 84: Advertisers Index Advanced Instrume

Food Safety Magazine, June/July 2012

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