Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2023 - 37

food safety
LOOKING TO TECHNOLOGY to
solve the everyday challenges of more
efficient use of labor, automation,
and intuitive planning of production
details and communication is
becoming the norm for the dining
industry. As tech innovation advances
in all aspects of the industry and in
everyday lives, foodservice operators
should consider its use in making a
difference in food safety.
Part of the FDA's New Era of Smarter
Food Safety focus begins with
bringing more transparency to
the entire supply chain process. A
digital transformation is happening
at the manufacturer level-using
smart sensors to track temperatures,
environmental impact, and product
performance-but what additional
steps can be taken at the operation
level?
Here are some ways technology can
make a difference in food safety for
operators:
SUPPLY CHAIN
MANAGEMENT
The food supply chain is under stress
at all points-farmers, manufacturers,
distributors, even delivery drivers
are taking advantage of tech to
help. The accessibility of tech tools,
such as bar scanning devices, can
now automate these steps and be a
game changer even for an operator.
Core Element 1 of the FDA's New Era
Blueprint, tech-enabled traceability,
as well as the contents of the final
traceability rule- " Requirements
for Additional Traceability Records
for Certain Foods " -was issued on
November 15. This supports assigning
a digital identity to food products so
software and hardware solutions can
help to organize and track important
information in a centralized location
for quick, easy access to meet
regulatory safety requirements.
Results from bar scanning devices can
quickly alert food operators if products
in house pose a potential risk to their
customer base.
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Wearable gadgets are becoming
more mainstream, even in the role
to automate the process of collecting
data on food product processing and
development. Prohibiting excessive
jewelry has always been a policy
to promote safety and hygiene in
TECHNOLOGY
TRENDS IMPACTING
BY AMY WOOTTON, RDN, LD
operations. Food tech has now
positioned operators to feel more
secure in allowing smart watches or
wristbands that detect an employee's
temperature, blood pressure, and other
health risks. Employees can better
monitor their own well-being and
share verified data to avoid the spread
of a virus.
Wearable devices can enable staff
to scan barcodes too. The no touch,
hands-free advantage is another step
to minimize risk. Smart goggles or
glasses are becoming a food safety
initiative as well. These can be worn to
display training or recipe details while
the use of voice command or touch pad
to scroll is embedded in the side of the
frame. Smart goggles can also be used
to detect missed steps, temperature
readings, and reduce human error to
help prevent foodborne illness. The
use of these technologies for real-time
food safety, in the hopes of minimizing
food-related health risks in dining
operations, is becoming more and
more mainstream.
PROPER LABELING
Once operators prepare and package
food to be sold, served or stored,
NUTRITION & FOODSERVICE EDGE | MARCH-APRIL 2023 37
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - March/April 2023
