Food Processing & Manufacturing 101

Good processing skills are handy to have in the food industry. Safe use and education are by far the most important things to consider when using this type of food equipment. Here are 3 tips to guide you on your journey into the world of food on the industrial scale.

Safety

Safety is key when it comes to running a business in the food industry. It is important the operator is well-versed in all food processing operations before starting. You will likely find yourself using a variety of equipment, such as conveyor systems, mechanical cutters and choppers, pressure tanks, kettles, automated skewers, shrinkwrappers, labeling systems, and palletizers. Different processing plants have different needs, so what one business uses might not work for yours. However, all plant owners must properly clean and maintain equipment to save their operators from potential injury. The last thing that you need is a hurt — or worse, dead — employee on your hands.

Documentation

Have you ever noticed posters hanging on the walls of restaurants or kitchens? This is part of the documentation required for businesses that manufacture, process, or handle food commercially. This starts with Standard Operating Procedures like good practices, residual chemical testing, sanitation, recall procedure, training, and supplier approvals. Then you have sales order management, quality control and compliance, invoicing and accounts payable, and supplier and customer relationships. It’s a lot to keep track of, so using a document management software is highly recommended.

Proper Food Preparation

There are certain standards that the government has put into place to make sure that food is processed and prepared in a way that is safe for human consumption. According to the USDA SSOPs for Meat and Poultry Processing, most of the rules for proper food preparation are related to keeping sanitary conditions. This encompasses equipment and utensil sanitation all the way to basic employee hygiene. These rules change slightly depending on the type of food being prepared. For example, meat and seafood preparation standards tend to be more in-depth than the standards for produce.

Food processing educating is important in the food industry. Employees can prepare food while using one of these machines. There are dangers and steps to be taken that will separate a good food processing experience from a bad one. Stay safe, document tutorials for usage, and educate employees on proper food preparations to ensure a great food processing experience.

Are you looking for wholesale equipment or services to streamline your business? Check out the listings on My Local Wholesaler, or if you’re looking to advertise, create your own!