Grace Gathoni’s Post

🥫Food safety culture 🛡️ 🍴 Day 1 of our Food Safety Culture series is here! 🌟 Today, let's dive into the foundation of food safety culture and why it's crucial in the food industry. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dressing ,rituals etc. (In this context, the society in question is the food processing industry together with it's key players) With the small recap, Let's look at what exactly food safety culture is😊 🛡️Food safety culture is about attitudes, behaviours and the priority given to food safety in an organisation. In a food factory, it is how everyone (owners, managers, employees) thinks and acts in their daily job to make sure the food they make is safe. 📌Food safety culture goes beyond rules and regulations—it's a mindset, shared beliefs, and practices that prioritize the safety and well-being of consumers. 🔶It's about fostering a work environment where every team member is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality. Some key elements of a robust food safety culture include: 🔹 Leadership commitment to consistently prioritize and champion food safety. 🔹 Clear and open communication channels to effectively address concerns and share best practices. 🔹 Ongoing training and education to empower employees with the knowledge and skills to uphold safety protocols. 🔹 A culture of accountability that encourages everyone to take ownership of food safety practices. Successful food safety cultures can be seen in organizations that not only meet regulatory requirements but go above and beyond to proactively ensure the safety of their products and consumers. By fostering a strong food safety culture, these companies are not only protecting their reputation but also building trust with their customers. Stay tuned for more insights throughout this series, where we'll explore how to cultivate a resilient food safety culture that sets your organization apart! 🌱🔐 Have you heard of food safety culture before? What have you learned so far? What's something you'd love to add on this? I'll be glad to hear your insights 😊. If you found this post insightful, repost 🔁 for a wider reach 😊. ----------------------------------------------------------------- If you're e-meeting me for the first time, 👋 I'm Grace Gathoni , a passionate food proffesional with key interest in food safety.If this is something you would love to learn, welcome to this space and feel free to follow and connect😊 Photo credits: Google #FoodSafetyCulture #QualityFirst #FoodIndustryLeadership

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY'S FOOD SAFETY CULTURE? ✅️ One fundamental, yet pragmatic question is "what do employees do when management isn't looking? 🔋 Do you lead by example? or 🔋 are you part of the ones flaunting FS rules by entering: ✍️ production floor without the right PPE ✍️ not washing your hands, etc 📌 Right, your company may have a great food safety plan on paper 📌 it may have checked all the boxes 📌 your hazard analysis & recall plan may have been prestine, textbook exactly of building a cohesive food safety plan. 🔋 That's all terrific, but what really happens on the production floor? 📍 what happens in the daily processing environment? 📍 what does an employee do when they see or know something went wrong? 🔋 It is critical to engage employees & management- so that they feel supported in taking on food safety & dedicate themselves to following established protocols. 🔋 This is where the concept of "Food safety culture" comes into play. Food safety culture is, in essence the values, beliefs, & habits people share to ensure food is kept safe 🔋 Culture is a concept that requires a great deal of food safety demands authentic buy-in from all levels of employees, including: 📌 Those on the front lines 📌 The procurement department that feels empowered to make the right choices to get the right products 📌 A training coordinator who realizes food safety training is a core concept that should be featured during on boarding 📌 the executive level, who should know that food safety can contribute to a healthy bottom line ✅️ Here are 4 practical areas you can target to help measure the wellness of your food safety culture: ✔️ PROVIDE CONTINUOUS TRAINING- training should be thought of as continuous & holistic in your organization ✔️ EDUCATION-is training available to employees when they join your team? ✔️ COLLABORATION-do you provide training across departmental lines? ✔️ EFFECTIVENESS- how frequently are trainings offered throughout the year? ✅️ GIVE REGULAR FEEDBACK- to holistically understand how effective your training programs are, consider implementing a program of assessments, conversions, & organizational involvement by personnel ✅️ BUILD ON AUDIT RESULTS- internal inspections should be part of regular compliance ✅️ TAKE STOCK OF OBJECTIVES FOR FOOD SAFETY & CELEBRATE WINS- it helps to know what your targets are going to be & how to structure them. 📌 forming a cadence of recognition & rewards is a way to celebrate wins for the company ✅️ The more you emphasize the importance of food safety culture, the more you highlight an appreciation for doing the right thing & the more you reaffirm that food safety is top mind & that everyone can MAKE A DIFFERENCE ✔️ Everyone has a role to play in the creation & maintenance of a food safety culture in YOUR OPERATION info@haccpacademy.com.ng, study@haccpacademy.com.ng, #foodsafetyculture #manufacturing #food #employeeengagement #training #foodsafetytips

WHY FOOD SAFETY CULTURE MATTERS It is often said that employees are the greatest asset. As much as this is true, employees are also the most difficult to manage. Machines are generally stationary. They do not flunt policies or talk back. A well serviced and calibrated equipment or machine will consistently perform its optimum. However. it is the employees that takes short-cuts. skip hand-washing, violates colour coding policy, to name a few. As a young QA professional at the plant level in NY, NJ, l fought many battles with the production managers who all detested the fact that l occasionally put what was produced on hold. Then, l only saw things in one perspective; "within specification" or " out of specification". If not within, l slapped a QA hold sticker on the questionable products which often irritated production. But throughout my leaning curve, until l retired as a director none of my bosses, who l proudly refer to as my mentor, teacher and couch, once overrode products l put on hold. Today, l still fight the same battles from a different war front as a food safety consultant and CSQP & ASQ lead auditor. The single biggest threat to food safety is "CULTURE ". Robust food safety plans and quality systems: FSSC-ISO 22000 certifications all become ineffective when they are undermined by the wrong culture. Culture can be described as the collective "Shared Values" of an organization. Culture is leaned from the environment in which we operate and the leadership has a strong influence on the overall food safety and quality culture in their organization. Employees pay attention to behaviors that are rewarded and to what goes unnoticed by leadership. They see who gets promoted, and who does not. They hear what leadership emphasis are and what it fails to acknowledge. Employees absorb the overall values of the organizational environment and adjust. It is imperative for leadership to WALK THE TALK when it comes to food safety. If leadership behavior and actions are inconsistent with the values of the organization it can have dire consequences on the effectiveness of the culture. A culture of FS is an environment where employees hear. feel, and see food safety all around them. These values are propagated by cultural "carriers" who visibly prioritize and bring focus to food safety. Creating a strong food safety culture allows your organization to build credibility, protect their reputation, and avoid stressful, expensive, damaging fallout from any food safety breaches. Maintaining food safety is critical to ensuring customer health and satisfaction. Food establishment should prioritize building & maintaining a strong food safety culture. By doing so, they will mitigate risks associated with inconsistent adherence to food safety practices. The journey of food safety culture starts with the management and ends with the employees who must be trained. #fao #smedan #foodandbeverageindustry

FOOD SAFETY CULTURE NUDGE OF THE WEEK: Gold Medal Food Safety You didn’t think I’d let something as big as the Olympics pass by without at least 1 NUDGE did you? Winning an Olympic gold medal is the pinnacle of athletic achievement, requiring years of dedication, rigorous training, and flawless execution. Similarly, maintaining impeccable food safety in our manufacturing facilities is a complex endeavor that demands unwavering commitment to quality and prevention. The Gold Standard: Shared Attributes Dedication and Commitment: Both Olympic athletes and food safety professionals are driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. They dedicate countless hours to honing their skills and ensuring the highest standards are met. Rigorous Training: Athletes undergo intense physical and mental preparation. In the same way, food safety teams receive comprehensive training on hygiene, sanitation, and hazard analysis. Teamwork: Olympic success often hinges on the performance of the entire team, from coaches to support staff. In a food plant, a collaborative approach involving all departments is essential for maintaining food safety. Consistency: Athletes strive for consistency in their performance. Food safety requires consistent adherence to procedures and protocols to prevent contamination. Resilience: Both athletes and food safety professionals must be resilient in the face of challenges. Whether it's an unexpected injury or a product recall, the ability to adapt and recover is crucial. The Podium Finish: Key Differences While the parallels between Olympic gold and food safety excellence are striking, there are also distinct differences: Tangible Outcome: An Olympic gold medal is a tangible reward for an athlete's efforts. Food safety success is often measured in prevention, with the absence of foodborne illness as the ultimate goal. Publicity: Olympic champions enjoy global recognition. Food safety achievements are often behind the scenes, with the focus on preventing negative outcomes. Long-term Impact: While Olympic legacies can endure, food safety is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and improvement. Winning an Olympic gold medal and achieving exceptional food safety demand dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment. While the nature of the challenges differs, the underlying principles of excellence and precision are universal.

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY'S FOOD SAFETY CULTURE? ✅️ One fundamental, yet pragmatic question is "what do employees do when management isn't looking? 🔋 Do you lead by example? or 🔋 are you part of the ones flaunting FS rules by entering: ✍️ production floor without the right PPE ✍️ not washing your hands, etc 📌 Right, your company may have a great food safety plan on paper 📌 it may have checked all the boxes 📌 your hazard analysis & recall plan may have been prestine, textbook exactly of building a cohesive food safety plan. 🔋 That's all terrific, but what really happens on the production floor? 📍 what happens in the daily processing environment? 📍 what does an employee do when they see or know something went wrong? 🔋 It is critical to engage employees & management- so that they feel supported in taking on food safety & dedicate themselves to following established protocols. 🔋 This is where the concept of "Food safety culture" comes into play. Food safety culture is, in essence the values, beliefs, & habits people share to ensure food is kept safe 🔋 Culture is a concept that requires a great deal of food safety demands authentic buy-in from all levels of employees, including: 📌 Those on the front lines 📌 The procurement department that feels empowered to make the right choices to get the right products 📌 A training coordinator who realizes food safety training is a core concept that should be featured during on boarding 📌 the executive level, who should know that food safety can contribute to a healthy bottom line ✅️ Here are 4 practical areas you can target to help measure the wellness of your food safety culture: ✔️ PROVIDE CONTINUOUS TRAINING- training should be thought of as continuous & holistic in your organization ✔️ EDUCATION-is training available to employees when they join your team? ✔️ COLLABORATION-do you provide training across departmental lines? ✔️ EFFECTIVENESS- how frequently are trainings offered throughout the year? ✅️ GIVE REGULAR FEEDBACK- to holistically understand how effective your training programs are, consider implementing a program of assessments, conversions, & organizational involvement by personnel ✅️ BUILD ON AUDIT RESULTS- internal inspections should be part of regular compliance ✅️ TAKE STOCK OF OBJECTIVES FOR FOOD SAFETY & CELEBRATE WINS- it helps to know what your targets are going to be & how to structure them. 📌 forming a cadence of recognition & rewards is a way to celebrate wins for the company ✅️ The more you emphasize the importance of food safety culture, the more you highlight an appreciation for doing the right thing & the more you reaffirm that food safety is top mind & that everyone can MAKE A DIFFERENCE ✔️ Everyone has a role to play in the creation & maintenance of a food safety culture in YOUR OPERATION info@haccpacademy.com.ng, study@haccpacademy.com.ng, #foodsafetyculture #manufacturing #food #employeeengagement #training #foodsafetytips

Why Bottom-Level Employees Struggle with Food Safety: Key Mindsets Holding Them Back In any food business frontline employees are responsible for food preparation, packaging, and delivery—are critical to ensuring food safety. Yet, despite having protocols and training, many employees still fail to adhere to these guidelines. What’s causing the disconnect? Here are the common mindsets and challenges that lead to lapses in food safety at the ground level: 1. "Not My Responsibility" Mentality Many employees view food safety as management’s job or something for the quality control team to handle. ➡️ Result:This lack of accountability often leads to carelessness, with critical safety measures being overlooked. 2. Stuck in the "We’ve Always Done It This Way" Long-term employees can become resistant to change, sticking to outdated practices rather than embracing new safety protocols. ➡️ Result:Complacency and reliance on familiar routines can result in unsafe shortcuts. 3. "It Takes Too Long" In fast-paced environments, employees see food safety as an added burden that slows down their work. ➡️ Result:Time pressures lead them to cut corners, putting speed before safety. 4. Lack of Clear Understanding Even after training, some employees may not fully grasp the importance of food safety or how their actions impact the final product. ➡️ Result:Poor training or communication leads to confusion, causing employees to skip critical steps. 5. Fear of Speaking Up Employees may be afraid to report safety breaches or issues due to fear of punishment or job loss. ➡️ Result:A "keep quiet and move on" culture, where safety issues go unreported, creates hidden risks. 6. "It Won’t Happen Here" Some employees believe foodborne illnesses or contamination are rare and won’t affect their workplace. ➡️ Result:This false sense of security leads to a relaxed attitude toward food safety. 7. Low Engagement or Morale When employees feel undervalued or disconnected from the company’s mission, they’re less likely to care about following safety protocols. ➡️ Result:Low morale breeds apathy, which in turn leads to negligence. Quetsion for management- What’s the Food Safety Culture in Your Business? 1. Do your employees feel responsible for food safety, or is it seen as management’s job? 2. Is your training interactive and meaningful, or is it simply a formality? 3. Are employees empowered to report issues, or do they fear backlash? If any of these resonate with you, it’s time to re-evaluate your food safety approach. Let’s talk about tailored solutions to improve your food safety culture and protect your business from avoidable risks. #FoodSafetyCulture #EmployeeAccountability #BusinessLeadership #WorkplaceEngagement #TransformingSafety #SafeFoodMatters #BuildingTrust #EmployeeEmpowerment #FoodBusinessSuccess

WHY FOOD SAFETY CULTURE MATTERS It is often said that employees are the greatest asset. As much as this is true, employees are also the most difficult to manage. Machines are generally stationary. They do not flunt policies or talk back. A well serviced and calibrated equipment or machine will consistently perform its optimum. However. it is the employees that takes short-cuts. skip hand-washing, violates colour coding policy, to name a few. As a young QA professional at the plant level in NY, NJ, l fought many battles with the production managers who all detested the fact that l occasionally put what was produced on hold. Then, l only saw things in one perspective; "within specification" or " out of specification". If not within, l slapped a QA hold sticker on the questionable products which often irritated production. But throughout my leaning curve, until l retired as a director none of my bosses, who l proudly refer to as my mentor, teacher and couch, once overrode products l put on hold. Today, l still fight the same battles from a different war front as a food safety consultant and CSQP & ASQ lead auditor. The single biggest threat to food safety is "CULTURE ". Robust food safety plans and quality systems: FSSC-ISO 22000 certifications all become ineffective when they are undermined by the wrong culture. Culture can be described as the collective "Shared Values" of an organization. Culture is leaned from the environment in which we operate and the leadership has a strong influence on the overall food safety and quality culture in their organization. Employees pay attention to behaviors that are rewarded and to what goes unnoticed by leadership. They see who gets promoted, and who does not. They hear what leadership emphasis are and what it fails to acknowledge. Employees absorb the overall values of the organizational environment and adjust. It is imperative for leadership to WALK THE TALK when it comes to food safety. If leadership behavior and actions are inconsistent with the values of the organization it can have dire consequences on the effectiveness of the culture. A culture of FS is an environment where employees hear. feel, and see food safety all around them. These values are propagated by cultural "carriers" who visibly prioritize and bring focus to food safety. Creating a strong food safety culture allows your organization to build credibility, protect their reputation, and avoid stressful, expensive, damaging fallout from any food safety breaches. Maintaining food safety is critical to ensuring customer health and satisfaction. Food establishment should prioritize building & maintaining a strong food safety culture. By doing so, they will mitigate risks associated with inconsistent adherence to food safety practices. The journey of food safety culture starts with the management and ends with the employees who must be trained. #fao #smedan #foodandbeverageindustry

Let’s talk about Food Safety Culture… As we know, its rapidly becoming a new popular area of expansion under GFSI audits, with more standards requiring companies to demonstrate their approach to food safety culture (FSC). But, what is FSC? Why is it important? And, how do you do create one?   What is FSC? The GFSI defines it as the “shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mindset and behaviour toward food safety in, across and throughout an organization”. This kind of cohesion requires a commitment from all levels of an organisation, front-line workers right up to top-level management. Everybody must feel a responsibility to prioritise and uphold food safety standards. Why is it important? A strong FSC means a commitment to safe food for consumers. It challenges bad practices from the bottom up and supports the reporting of potentially unsafe practices from the top down. Making food safety the responsibility of everyone creates an environment that is lower risk of an incident occurring and more productive response if an incident does take place. How do you implement change in your business? Your business will probably have many elements that promote a FSC already, like basic food safety training and channels for reporting issues on the factory floor. However, there are some key areas that might require some additional support. Here’s how we can help: 💡 Food Safety Training for Directors – its critical that the top level managers within your business understand the fundamental principals that underpin safe manufacturing practices. Our bespoke courses aim to engage directors as to why a top driven safety culture is paramount to integrity throughout the business and importantly, the costs involved if food safety goes wrong. 💡 Culture of Responsibility workshops – its challenging to get your operators excited about full compliance with procedures and Good Documentation Practices (GDP). Our aim to enable participants to better understand their role in upholding food safety and their individual contribution to assuring FSC. This includes an engaging mock cross examination exercise to understand how their execution of procedures can impact their due diligence defence. 💡 Food Safety Training for Engineers – feeling responsible for food safety relies on understanding your role in upholding it. This course takes participants through the fundamentals of food safety and demonstrates through real life examples how they can have an impact on consumers. Either directly through responsibility for contaminations such as foreign bodies but also partake in the upkeep of a safety culture with accountability. 💡 Food Safety Brand workshops – These workshops are designed for your marketing and NPD teams and explore how you can build food safety into your brand and products. If you are looking to be proactive in your strive for a great food safety culture, get in touch and let’s talk about how we can support you. #foodsafety #foodsafetyculture

🛡️Embedding food safety culture in the food work place🛡️ Out food safety culture series continues 🎉 Yesterday we looked at what food safety culture really is and why it's important for an organization 😊 Today let's look at how creating a strong food safety looks like; 🔶Creating a strong food safety culture within a workplace is crucial for ensuring the well-being of consumers and upholding professional standards. Implementing food safety culture in the workplace, especially in the food processing industry, is crucial for maintaining high standards and ensuring the quality and safety of products. Here are some strategies to embed a strong food safety culture: 1️⃣Training and Education: Provide comprehensive training programs for all employees on proper food safety protocols, hygiene practices, and regulatory requirements. Ensure that everyone understands the importance of their role in maintaining food safety. 2️⃣Clear Communication: Encourage open communication channels where employees can report any food safety concerns or incidents without fear of repercussions. Regularly update staff on any changes to protocols or regulations. 3️⃣Leading by Example: Leadership should lead by example when it comes to following food safety practices. When employees see managers and supervisors prioritizing food safety, they are more likely to do the same. 4️⃣Empowerment: Empower employees to take ownership of food safety by involving them in decision-making processes, encouraging feedback, and recognizing and rewarding adherence to food safety protocols. 5️⃣Consistent Monitoring and Auditing: Regularly monitor and audit food safety practices to identify areas for improvement. Address any issues promptly and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrences. 6️⃣Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging innovation in food safety practices, staying updated on industry trends, and regularly reviewing and refining existing protocols. 7️⃣Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate achievements in food safety to reinforce the importance of maintaining high standards. This can include highlighting individuals or teams that exemplify a strong food safety culture. 🔶By implementing these strategies and fostering a culture where food safety is prioritized at every level of the organization, you can create a workplace environment that minimizes risks and ensures the production of safe and high-quality food products. What are your views on this? What's something you can add on this? Did you find this post insightful? If so, repost 🔁 for a wider reach 😊 If you're e-meeting me for the first time, 👋 I'm Grace Gathoni , a passionate food proffesional with key interest in food safety.If this is something you would love to learn, welcome to this space and feel free to follow and connect😊 photo credits:Google #foodsafetyculture #linkedincreator

Food Safety Culture Implementation. Some of the key aspects to consider when developing a food safety culture (FSSC 22000 V.6, BRCGS Issue 9) 1. Food Safety and Quality Policy Statement:Ensure this written policy includes statements related to: - Senior management commitment to produce safe and high-quality products - Management commitment to provide the staffing and resources necessary to ensure the production of safe and quality products etc. -It must also be communicated to all employees in documented training sessions and with new employees during orientation. 2.Food Safety Objectives and Performance Measures: Food safety objectives must be formally defined and documented. Once defined, performance measures must be established. Companies should monitor performance monthly or at least quarterly. Results should be shared and discussed in documented management reviews as inputs to the process. 3.Food Safety Culture Program:Not all standards require a documented procedure. However, it is a best practice to document elements of your food safety culture. This written program can summarize elements such as Vision-Mission-Values, Food Safety and Quality Policy Statement, Food Safety Objectives and Performance Measures, Employee Training and Communications. 4.Sufficient Staffing: A company’s organisational chart must demonstrate sufficient staffing to ensure food safety for QA, Maintenance, food safety etc.Job descriptions for every position in the company should include statements to meet food safety and quality requirements. 5.Resource Summary: Create a document that lists capital expenditures related to food safety and quality, staffing expense, training time allocation, and other resources to demonstrate sufficient resources have been provided to assure food safety and quality. 6.Reinforce Food Safety Principles Continuously: Develop ongoing food safety communications that reach all employees. Annual refreshers are not enough. Communications should be on a routine basis to continuously reinforce food safety expectations and the importance of food safety to the company. 7.Provide Systems for Two-Way Communications: Create methods for employees to notify management of food safety issues anonymously or by name. Keep a summary log of all information received and review it during monthly management meetings.Promote Reporting of Potential Food Safety Risks 8.Regular Meetings: Conduct regular meetings to communicate the company’s food safety objectives and the results of performance measures to all employees to keep everyone informed and engaged. 9.Food Safety Culture Assessment: Another method to build an even more robust food safety culture is to use formal assessments or surveys to measure food safety culture within a facility. It is wise to administer these assessments at all levels of the organization. Results for each group should be measured separately to assess consistency throughout the organisation. #foodsafetyculture