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DNA Tests to Stop Rice Fraud in its Tracks Published Date : 2014-11-07 12:27:18

Basmati rice is now victim to a food fraud, following a price hike in raw materials.  The scandal came to light in February, when 22 tonnes of long-grain rice being sold as basmati were seized in the UK by Interpol and Europol.  In response, the rice industry has been stepping up measures and some major companies have just introduced DNA testing.

The scandal in the rice industry includes two types of food fraud: stating white long-grain rice as basmati in order to avoid import duty, and blending basmati with long-grain and passing it off as basmati.  Rice blending is a cheap trick, but suppliers who declare rice as pure basmati when it is in fact blended with other grains face anti-fraud measures.  To legally be called basmati, the rice must have been grown in specific regions of India and Pakistan.  There is no duty on brown basmati, whereas import duty for other rice grains can be as much as €150 a tonne.

The Rice Association, the FSA and BRC have all agreed on crack down rules when it comes to rice blending.  The 2006 voluntary code of practice states that non-basmati content in a product labelled basmati rice should be no higher than 7%.  With this in mind, suppliers are going further to prove their compliance.  Major rice companies such as Tilda and Amira have started to implement DNA testing to ensure its purity.  Prior to shipping, Tilda tests every batch of rice in its own lab to prove the origin of the grain.

 Taking these voluntary steps at the supplier end is a great way to execute compliance and send a message to food fraudsters.  Here at QADEX we think this is a fantastic example of honest, trustworthy suppliers going the extra mile to assure retailers, wholesalers and consumers that their produce is compliant.  You can’t always trust what it says on the tin anymore – proven by the amount of food fraud cases highlighted over the last few years.  DNA testing is a scientific, proven way to dictate the origin or variety of a product, which could be incorporated to many different sectors.

 

For manufacturers, processors or retailers who don’t trust their suppliers 100%, we recommend installing our supplier approval module.

Food businesses urged to be aware of supply chain disruption risks posed by Ebola Published Date : 2014-11-06 14:59:42

There are widespread accounts of farm workers abandoning their jobs in Ebola ravished regions. In Sierra Leone, approximately 40% of fields and farmlands are being deserted as workers fear Ebola outbreaks. Disrupting and ceasing regional trade, the Ebola outbreak is set to cause food shortages throughout the region.

While much of the agricultural produce produced in these regions is likely to be for domestic production there could also be some intended for export or used as ingredients further up the supply chain.

Food businesses are urged to review their supply chains carefully to identify if there are ingredients being used that originate from affected regions. It is important that each tier in the supply chain is considered; while the business may not be sourcing directly from Africa, their suppliers or sub-suppliers may be.

Regrettably if Ebola is not contained then the above exercise could need to be repeated each time an Ebola outbreak is declared in another country or region. While Ebola would not appear to present a food safety risk, the risk is more likely to be a commercial risk of material unavailability or price spikes if there are material shortages.

Most food businesses will not have visibility beyond their Tier 1 suppliers so may be in the dark on how to tackle this issue. But the answer may lie in the humble and much maligned product specifications.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX, said, “These days most food manufacturers require detailed product specifications which include a recipe breakdown. Included in these recipe breakdowns is the country of origin of each ingredient, so if you have an electronic specification system you should be able to quickly search by country of origin, including all sub-ingredients in your ingredients.”

 

Qadex’s food safety and brand protection software is the simple and effective way to ensure transparency in the food chain.  Manufacturers can identify potential areas for concern and prepare for a future risk; such as that posed by the West African Ebola outbreak.  By searching all ingredients used through the easy-to-use software, businesses can pinpoint ingredients which may experience a shortage and prepare by arranging other suppliers to back up in case of a serious issue.

Africa is now a substantial importer of food produce to the EU, mainly in cocoa and flour products.  The cocoa industry is already being stretched to the limits in terms of supply and demand, so any businesses relying on African cocoa should be vigilant.

To find out more about QADEX’s range of food safety and brand protection systems visit http://www.qadex.com/

Competitive Food Pricing Risks Quality Warns Industry Experts Published Date : 2014-11-05 14:13:34

As retailers continue to participate in a highly competitive race to the bottom in price wars, industry experts have warned that food quality may be jeopardised in the process. The Chief Executive of one of Europe’s largest food companies has cautioned that constantly pushing down prices makes the supply chain susceptible to fraud, as price is prioritised ahead of quality and security. Experts in compliance at QADEX agree, as competition between the supermarkets and big retailers is ever escalating.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX, said, “In today’s climate, having the lowest prices is seen as the best way to attract and retain custom, however this isn’t always in the best interest of the consumer.  When companies focus on being more affordable rather than concentrating on quality, there is a temptation to cut corners and compromise security of output – perhaps even to break the law. It’s essential that those operating within the food industry learn from past mistakes and remember price is not the only factor; low quality, fraudulent foods will not be tolerated by the public.”

 

Having to compete with successful low-price retailers is tough, especially heading into the festive season where food budgets will be cut to allow spending in other areas. However, placing the loyalty of customers at risk by compromising quality, turning a blind eye to standards and potentially sacrificing credibility is not a choice taken lightly.  The pressure is on for suppliers to deliver the same products cheaper, which makes the food chain highly vulnerable to fraud.

QADEX offers a simple software solution to unite every stage of the food chain – retailers, processors, suppliers and manufacturers – enabling every link to be accounted for.  With supplier risk assessments, audits and specification management taken care of, retailers reduce the risk of food fraud to its customers and brand reputation. The food safety software is trusted by big brands across the nation to highlight traceability and protect companies from any illegal activity.

 

Tracey added, “Of course, food retailers want to be affordable but it’s essential not to jeopardise the quality and authenticity of produce in the name of competition. While it may seem that lower prices are beneficial to the customer, compromising on quality is not in the best interests of the general public.  The industry must ask itself: if we are now offering an identical product at a much lower price than last year, how has that been possible? Affordability is not the only pressing factor that food businesses need to consider, as we are still recovering from Horsegate and food fraud is on the rise.”

To find out more about QADEX’s range of food safety and brand protection systems visit http://www.qadex.com/

Risk assessment in the QADEX office at Halloween Published Date : 2014-10-31 10:24:25

October 31st, the only time of year that chasing thousands of self audit questionnaires and specifications aren’t the scariest part of coming into the office…

Here at Qadex we take food safety very seriously so on Halloween we go to town to make everyone aware just how scary food safety has become!

We work hard to try and keep nasty surprises out of our customer’s supply chains, so we have to work extra hard to hide surprises for the Qadex staff to find on their desks, chairs, and keyboards… Muahaha!

The bravest of the team will soon be plunging their hands into the spooky Halloween cauldrons, not knowing what they’re going to be getting themselves into!

Luckily the team here at Qadex work hard all year round (even on Halloween) to ensure our customers don’t get themselves into any sticky situations and know exactly what they’re getting from their supply chains once their Self Audit Questionnaires and Specifications have been completed!

Food Poisoning on the Rise in UK Published Date : 2014-10-14 16:07:58

According to the Food Standards Agency, there have now been over one million cases of food poisoning reported throughout the nation. This can cause huge problems for businesses, with failed inspections resulting in hefty fines of up to £20,000 per incident as well as jail terms of up to two years for serious food offences. Not to mention an extremely damaged public reputation as well as the loss of customer trust and business. Anyone distributing food to a third party has a responsibility to ensure that their produce is safe and healthy. To help you avoid any food poisoning incidents and maintain your reputation as a responsible and trustworthy food supplier, we’ve come up with this list of useful guidelines!

Always wash your hands

It may sound obvious but regularly washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent food poisoning. However, this doesn’t just mean a quick rinse under the tap. Always use hot water and antibacterial soap to ensure that any bacteria are destroyed. This should be done after touching the bin, going to the bathroom, blowing your nose etc.

Wash down worktops on a daily basis

Worktops are a mecca for bacteria and to ensure your business stays compliant, it’s important to regularly wash them down with hot, soapy water or antibacterial spray. You should do this at least once a day however benches that have been used to prepare raw meat, poultry, eggs or fish should be attended to immediately.

Use separate chopping boards for different foodstuffs

When operating a commercial kitchen, it is essential that you use different chopping boards for raw and fresh, ready-to-eat foods. Raw foods such as chicken can contain harmful bacteria that can easily spread to any fresh food that it may come into contact with.

Store raw meat separately

When organising your fridge, make sure that any raw meat is kept separate and sealed. While the bacteria in raw chicken is killed when it is cooked, should any spread to items such as salad, fruit and bread, the bacteria will be directly consumed which can lead to cases of food poisoning. Furthermore, it is advisable to store meat on the bottom shelf in order to prevent any drips.

Ensure meat is properly cooked

When it comes to cooking poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs, it is important to make sure that they are thoroughly cooked and safe for consumption.

Adhere to all ‘use-by’ dates

IF you operate a commercial kitchen, never use food that is past its use by date. The labels are there for a reason and indicate when harmful bugs and bacteria may start to develop in the food, even if it has not been opened.

Keep your fridge below 5°C

A fridge that is not cold enough is one of the key culprits behind cases of food poisoning. Always keep your fridge below 5°C in order to keep food cold and prevent the growth of any bacteria.  Try not to leave doors open for extended periods of time.

Regularly wash dishcloths

It can be easy to forget to wash dishcloths and tea towels which can be one of the main causes of food poisoning in domestic homes and commercial kitchens alike. To ensure yours aren’t a breeding ground for bacteria, make sure you machine wash all your towels and cloths on a regular basis.

By conforming to these simple tips, you can ensure that your kitchen is safe, healthy and complaint!

Cadburys World Outing Published Date : 2014-10-24 09:36:05

Qadex – give yourselves a round of applause, we FINALLY arranged a work outing and had attendance of over 70%! Nothing to do with the fact it was during work hours and had perks of free chocolate whilst at Cadbury’s World, I’m sure…

After a manic week of chasing raw material specifications and supplier approval documents! We all shut down early; packed our things and headed out for Birmingham. After just over an hour of the wrong exit’s, wrong directions from the human Satnav and selfies’s we arrived at Cadbury’s World… and that was just Vicky’s car!

 

After managing to round everyone up, Zak almost dying of a heart attack after paying £4 for a panini and sadly hearing Shraddha and Tracey couldn’t join us (you were both missed!!) we eventually began our tour and received our first two bars of free choccy – RESULT!

 

We spent the next two hours within the realms of Cadbury’s world, hearing about the history, manufacturing processes, sometimes it’s really good to see how all the chasing and work we do on raw materials specifications and supplier approvals comes together in a real working environment! We then found FREDDO and we just had to take pictures of the senior team members in a frog face frame! Pictures to follow…

 

I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say no matter how much free chocolate we were given, our favourite part of the day was the brand new 4D ride! From the Crazy Crunchie Rollercoaster ride to the Cadbury Creme Egg Airship with the Cadbury Bunny herself – the experience was fantastic and not just for kids too, although some would say everyone here at Qadex is a big kid at heart…

 

Once we completed this experience it was time to go and raid the gift shop… I’m sure Deborah and Jemma, two of our Account Manager’s here at Qadex had very happy partners after leaving the shop with over £50 worth of chocolate! I was happy… I got the free teddy! Wahoo! We did think about asking to see their raw material specifications for the ingredients but in our line of work they can all blend into one!

 

Deborah said: This trip was great. It was not challenging and didn’t have any requirements so no one felt under pressure or that they would be excluded in any way. It was nice to be able to go with Jemma as well as she has had to miss a few events before. I have been to a place before where you get to see lot so of short movies and they have lots of little activities for people to do, all focusing around cameras and images and that was great fun for the young and young of heart.

Jemma commented: It was nice to be part of the team and have some relaxed fun with everyone, especially after another busy week of chasing documents!

Our FREDDO FROGS  from left to right Nicola Whyte, Stephen Whyte, Julian Vine, Ieva Mockute & Bridget TIdd, check out those FREDDO faces!

British Businesses Implicated in Purchase of Goods Produced by Slave Labour Published Date : 2014-10-24 08:00:58

A damning new article recently published in the Financial Times has revealed that British Businesses are grossly uninformed when it comes to knowing where and how their products are sourced, adopting a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ mentality that leaves them in the dark, securing an ‘ignorance is bliss’ approach rendering it highly likely that many businesses are directly implicated in importing goods and produce manufactured using overseas slave labour.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply unveiled that nearly three-quarters of supply chain professionals confessed to having “zero visibility” whilst a further 11% accepted that this probably indicated that during the manufacture and transportation of goods, slave labour was required at some stage during the process.

David Noble, Chief Executive of the CIPS said that business leaders are “content to remain ignorant of the malpractice that could be operating throughout their supply chains.”

A disturbing disconnect was revealed when polling the results of 3,406 business leaders, supply chain professionals and consumers. Purchasing managers were less likely to say that their chains were transparent when compared to company leaders.

Not long ago, it was revealed that supermarkets were selling horse meat advertised and presented as beef to the consumer. Unfortunately, it seems that despite public outrage and disgust, not enough is being done to ensure that businesses are accountable for taking the time to understanding what and where they are importing produce from, and the ramifications for customers and the workers potentially exploited during the process.

During the recession and economic crisis, company and business values and morals took a distinct nosedive attempting to cut corners, prioritising a low spend ahead of human rights, enabling corruption to become commonplace. Remote suppliers in emerging markets, who are often severely under regulated, are open to be exploited by first world business.  The risk to reputation is very real and something businesses ought to guard against.

The International Labour Organisation states that approximately 21 million people across the globe, including young children, are working slaves making this a worldwide, international issue which food businesses must be careful to avoid getting involved with.  The food and beverage industry has been involved in scandal after scandal in recent years, therefore they must begin to

start being more transparent.  From the country of origin to the supermarket shelf, consumers need to be aware of how products are farmed, manufactured and shipped to the UK.

Walnut Fraud Published Date : 2014-10-17 08:00:55

According to a recent report published in The Independent, the global failure of many walnut crops could increase the risk of reactions from those that suffer from peanut allergies. In essence, the shortage of walnuts could result in a jump in the use of peanuts as a cheaper alternative ingredient.

 

The report refers to a statement released by Professor Elliott of Queen’s University Belfast, a campus researcher who also led the government’s recent investigation into the widely publicised horse meat scandal.

 

He explains, “I am worried we will see the substitution of peanuts for walnuts, which can kill people.”

 Due to heavy rain in walnut growing regions such as Pakistan, Kashmir and Argentina, market prices have jumped a huge 50% over the past few months. As a result, Elliott predicts manufacturers may start substituting the expensive nut for its cheaper peanut counterpart.

 

“It’s easy to tell the difference between a peanut and a walnut on their own but when they are processed it is really difficult to tell. For example whether it’s walnut flour or peanut flour,” he said.

 

This type of ‘food fraud’ has been seen in the past in situations such as the European horse meat scandal and the use of grapefruit juice or sugary water to replace pomegranate juice. According to Elliot, the current availability of pomegranate products far exceeds the number of additional crops that have emerged as a result of the world’s obsession with the latest ‘superfood.’ Also vulnerable to food labelling fraud are high end luxury ingredients such as saffron, manuka honey and extra virgin olive oil.

Elliot explains, “About 400 beverages with the taste of pomegranate were introduced to the market globally in 2012. Pomegranate trees take 2-3 years after planting before they produce fruit… Thus supply and demand, a basic concept in the market place, must be considered a potential trigger for fraud.”

 

In light of the recent price hike, Elliot is urging people to be ‘extra vigilant’ when eating foods claiming to contain walnuts. This is particularly important when it comes to takeaway meals. In fact according to the report, a recent peanut allergy related death could have a connection with walnut substitution at a takeaway restaurant. In the wake of rising walnut prices, fatal allergic reactions are expected to rise over the next 24 months.

 

While it may seem like a good way to save cash and boost sales, fraudulent labelling can be fatal, particularly when it comes to allergenic foods. While the industry is doing everything it can to combat deceptive labelling, it’s also up to retailers to be selective when it comes to trustworthy suppliers.

Walnut Fraud?

Published Date : 2014-10-15 16:37:50

Food businesses advised to increase surveillance on walnuts as a potential fraud

Following a recent report published in The Independent, due to heavy rain in walnut growing areas such as Pakistan and Argentina, market prices are up 50% – triggering alarms that nuts could be the next target for food fraud criminals. However, this threat is potentially more dangerous than past cases as companies choosing to fraudulently use peanuts as an alternative to walnuts could be putting lives at risk.

The prediction of food adulteration in relation to walnuts is from Professor Elliot of Queens’ University Belfast, who also led the government’s investigation into the debilitating horse meat scandal. As walnuts are becoming more expensive thanks to the shortage of regional produce, he fears manufacturers may substitute the walnut for a cheaper alternative which is more widely available – the peanut. This could pose a serious threat with potentially fatal consequences to consumers with allergies. QADEX software is designed to help food companies be fully compliant, ensure food labelling is accurate and keep suppliers and manufacturers on their toes with regular risk assessments and certification reminders.

Walnut substitution is the latest risk to watch out for in a long line of fraudulent activity in the food industry. Natural expensive products which are a specific variation, such as manuka honey, have been targeted by food fraudsters who have made a fortune mis-selling the ingredient. The sale of pomegranate juice has also been corrupted as it has been noted the number of products containing the superfood far exceeds the number of crops, with many manufacturers instead using grapefruit juice or sugary water as a deceiving substitute.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX said, “We should always draw attention to food fraud in order to warn the public, but this potential adulteration is on a completely new level. Swapping walnuts for peanuts is not only misleading and illegal, but it can also have devastating effects. A recent peanut allergy related death has further highlighted this issue, and QADEX is advising food companies to increase risk ratings for adulteration on all walnut products.”

The trouble is it is actually difficult to tell the difference between a peanut and a walnut when it is combined within a meal, or the difference between walnut flour and peanut flour. In light of the recent price hike on walnuts, the public is being advised to be extra vigilant on all walnut related products – especially when it comes to takeaway meals.

Tracey continued, “Our software is designed to tackle this kind of food fraud, to make sure trustworthy businesses won’t be duped further down the supply chain. The selection of tools on the dashboard ensure that companies can audit every level of the food chain from suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and processers to ensure transparency and rule out adulteration at every stage.”

Reeeeeeelax it's Desk Yoga Time! Published Date : 2014-10-14 14:26:27

Most of us working in an office grab a cuppa or maybe go for a walk to get away from everyday stresses – not here at Qadex, we like to mix things up! Every day from 1.30 we indulge in 30 minutes of back breaking, wrist straining and hip opening (optional of course) desk yoga!

To take part, we log onto the on-line stream of videos and begin with the not so relaxing lengthening of the spine, reaching for the sky and trying to hold this position until we feel at least 1cm taller (although some manage longer than others, not mentioning names! OPS!!!)

I’m sure everyone’s favourite is Inversion, placing our heads gently on the desk and falling asleep… or at least wishing we could, slowly increasing this so we place our chest down onto our knees and reeeeeeelax, not a word often used here in the Sileby office.

After a few weeks of participating, most of us found that we were feeling a lot more balanced, some of us have even been able to touch our toes, result!

Overall, it’s nice to shake things up, try and get out of our comfort zones and push ourselves and the team to stretch, just that little… bit… further! Another example of our guys here at Qadex working as a team to spur each other on and achieve new goals.

Tracey commented, we wanted something that staff could do everyday, that would benefit the business as well as them, we came up with exercise but couldn’t think how to do it in a safe environment, then we found DESK YOGA, and problem solved.  It is optional and if we are having a very busy day it can get missed but 1.30 everyday you will find us in different yoga poses at our desks, for us oldies some of the exercises are harder than others and as a result you can often hear creaking!!  Just another benefit of working for the QADEX brand :-

Deborah said: ‘I find Desk Yoga to be a great distraction from the workload, a time to relax and let go, do some therapeutic stretches and then re-engage feeling refreshed on the workload.’

Andrew commented, I have had a few niggling injuries over the last few years due to the sports I play, but after doing desk yoga all of my injuries are all now ‘less of a niggle’ :-

 

3 QADEX Clients Shortlisted For Manufacturer Of The Year Published Date : 2014-10-13 11:07:20

Three QADEX clients have been shortlisted for manufacturer of the year at the highly acclaimed Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards of 2014. Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Finsbury

Foods and ABP Doncaster have all been nominated for the prestigious recognition, illuminating the rewards and advantages of implementing and adhering to improvements in food safety and brand protection.

The awards’ independent judging panel chaired by Thornton’s chocolatiers boss Paul Wilkinson are set to preside over the fantastic finalists vying for top spot. The food and drink version of the influential Oscars, this year saw a record number of entries revealing the promising improvements taken by those heartily involved within the industry.

Entries have been judged on a plethora of criteria including business strategy, category management and team development. Despite only a handful of nominees emerging as esteemed winners, the awards are a clear victory for all of those involved within the food and drinks industry as steps are universally being taken to improve proceedings and a nomination is a true honour and privilege.

Although the food and drink industries have been dogged by unpleasant associations with scandals and product recalls in former years, by and large an endless assortment of companies are seeing vast improvements. The category winners are to be announced on the 20th November at the London Hilton in Park Lane during a glamorous gala dinner and all foodies are welcome to attend.

Categories include nominees from an array of food and drink related sectors and awards include ambient, bakery, beverage, chilled and dairy, meat, poultry and seafood, best new use of food ingredients, environmental initiative and training programme of the year. The awards acknowledge and recognise promising developments from companies and individuals alike. Other notable nominees include Hovis, Graze, Ginsters and Dawn Meats.

The shortlist is an excellent opportunity for those within the food and drinks industry to strive towards rapid improvements that make a real difference. We’ve seen some truly impressive, innovative success stories and are enthused to hear that three of our clients have been recognised for their remarkable and noteworthy contributions to the industry.

All entrants are further considered in two extra categories, including the star performer and Food Manufacturing Company of the year (that’s where our proud three have ended up!) We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the three nominees and wish them all the best before the winners are revealed. We wish all nominees the best and hope to see such successes rage on into the future.

QADEX MasterMind AAARRGHHHH Published Date : 2014-09-23 15:23:16

Here at QADEX we like to look after our staff, as a result we are always looking for team activities and ways to make the job FUN!

Not an easy task let me tell you, our dedicated team spend long days with an ear cupped to the phone and fingers flying over computer keyboards.

We all look forward to 1.30pm when Desk YOGA hits the office and all you hear is arrgghh as we stretch and bend into positions bodies really shouldn’t be in!

So when one of the team offered to put together a MASTERMIND quiz we all jumped at the opportunity…..well some of us!

I wasn’t allowed to have the specialist subject of QADEX so was immediately stuck, what the hell did I know anything about….basically nothing!  I plumped for COWS (as my desk will support) I love em, however I know nothing about them!  The rest of the office showed surprising choices ranging from 50 shades of grey to Harry Potter!

Due to business commitments we had to cancel the first scheduled session, a reprieve, I was saved but no we scheduled it for another day!

The day arrived and we assembled, Andrew pulled out all the stops, we even had a big black leather chair to sit it!  The timer started and we were off, questions fired left right and centre for our 2 minutes in the chair!

Obviously there was more pressure on certain team members such as the boss Stephen Whyte who chose the food industry and scored well but didn’t nail it! (I am sure an envelope passed hands somewhere!)  My turn finally arrived, it was this point I made it clear when I chose cows I meant the collection on my desk……oooppps! Didn’t get away with that!

Vicky Hunter one of our senior account managers won the first round with her specialist subject Harry Potter scoring a cool 17 points.  It was over,  a laugh had been had…what was this round 2 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE….NOOOOOOOOOO!! Everyone knows I have no life, I work, I go Home, I walk the dogs eat and crash, who has time for TV or world news blah blah.

The next rounds started, to my surprise I knew lots I didn’t know I knew! Until it got to my turn….needless to say joint last was myself and Shraddha!!  Vicky managed to maintain her lead and as result has won a day to HARRY POTTER WORLD IN LONDON, if I knew there was a prize and I might have won a cow I would have studied!!!

Andrew said “I know more about the Kardashians than I ever thought I would, this is something I’m not proud of. It also took me many more hours than I thought it would. I can say it was defiantly worth it and hope everyone had a great time, even though everyone had to endure 2 gruelling minutes of the Kardashians!”

(I still have no idea who they are I thought they were from STAR TREK!). So it’s clear from the results none of us are MASTERMINDS! Just mere humans working hard to deliver for the QADEX brand!!

New Research Calls for Harmonisation of Traceability Across The Globe Published Date : 2014-09-19 15:54:03

The Global Food Traceability Centre recently released a new report in the ‘Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety Journal’ outlining the importance of ensuring that the global food chain maintains its traceability, authenticity and transparency. With several food related crisis’ occurring in recent years, including the highly controversial horse meat scandal of 2013 which still rages on, UK consumers are becomingly increasingly suspicious and sceptical about what is in their food and who they can trust. Customer loyalty is often irreparably damaged when companies are unable to account for the origin and source of their produce. As the world becomes smaller, it has become even more essential for us to work together to ensure such scandals do not occur again.

The report sets out to compare and evaluate trends in the traceability regulations of 21 different countries participating in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Such countries include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, China and the United States. A positive find for the UK is that the European Union was found to lead the way, ranking highest in adhering to standards, regulations and requirements relating to global food traceability. Europe’s high ranking can be interpreted in one of two ways. Firstly as a hugely positive statistic indicating our innovative ability to adhere to standards that benefit the food industry. Secondly, given our recent history of unpleasant media revelations surrounding food fraud, if we lead the way, what does that say about the countries behind us?

 

The research highlights the importance of the global market continuing to operate to a high standard, enabling companies, businesses and customers to authentically trace where their produce is coming from. Although there are numerous benefits to global, international trading, the repercussions and ramifications of such a sprawling system are now widely known. Due to the expanse of the market it can seem impossible to adequately trace where produce is coming from. This becomes especially problematic when threats of airborne illnesses, animal and plant diseases and product recalls occur. When the system works well, it is an efficient, fast way to distribute produce across the globe. When it fails, it can be dangerous and reputation crippling.

 

All countries that participate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development were ranked by authors of the journal based on their answers to specific questions illuminating their traceability programmes and policies. Such questions included querying whether or not regulations applied to imported products, the necessary documentation required for imported produce and whether or not an electronic database existed for traceability. The questions were

designed to understand how each company operates with regards to standards to see where loose links in the chain may be identified.  Additionally, there was a goal to set standards to unify all countries under the umbrella of globally acknowledged principles and values.

 

The EU and all of its member countries were ranked as superior within the global market whilst Japan, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil were rated as average. China was rated as poor thanks to the underdevelopment of its traceability system as it is at present largely unregulated. No accurate reading was able to be sourced from the Russian Federation owing to the provision of limited information.

 

The importance of unifying all countries and bringing them up to scratch to ensure that there are no weak links in the chain is an essential aspect of the food safety process. In doing so, compliance will be improved, illnesses that travel alongside food can be traced before they are able to leave their territory and countries can protect one another from food fraud and disease. Although Europe is presently the frontrunner, we should still all work together in order to maintain and preserve our status in the food safety arena – and with horse gate not far behind us we still have a long way to go.

How to Restore Consumer Confidence in the Food Industry Published Date : 2014-09-11 12:51:23

 

From the horse meat scandal to the counterfeit foods crisis, UK consumers have been hit with incident after incident over the past few years. Given the crumbling reputation of the food industry, it comes as no surprise that they are exercising more caution than ever before when it comes to consuming food and drink. In fact, according to TraceOneView, 63% of consumers feel that their trust in the food industry has been broken in light of recent events such as the horsemeat scandal. So what can the industry do to regain the trust of their customers and rebuild a healthy relationship? Below are some useful suggestions that are guaranteed to help rebuild confidence.

Transparent labelling

With a huge 83% of consumers stating that they wanted to see increased transparency and clearer product labelling, this is one of the key areas that food manufacturers should be focussing on. This involves labelling each and every ingredient in a way that is clearly visible to consumers.

Heightened supply chain regulation

With many of the recent food industry scandals involving supply chain fiascos, the heightened regulation of ingredient movement has emerged as a key factor in winning back the trust of consumers. For fresh foods, the country of origin is a must. For processed foods that involve several suppliers, it is essential for manufacturers and retailers to comply with government regulations.

 

Buy local

One of the best ways to rebuild consumer trust is to buy local ingredients. While the food industry has undergone several damaging blows, the idea of premium British quality is still well and truly alive. According to recent research from Mintel confirming that many consumers are willing to pay more for British produce in order to support the local economy as well as ensure they receive a premium quality product.

 

 

In-house testing

While small and medium sized businesses do not have the resources to carry out in-house testing, many large scale industry leaders such as Tesco and Waitrose have pledged to build and operate on-site testing units designed to regulate their meat.

 

 

Other ‘feel-good’ efforts

As well as responding to consumer demand for transparent labelling and heightened supply chain regulation, many food manufacturers have been turning to other trust building techniques in order to regain the confidence of their customers. The trend for sustainable packaging has skyrocketed in the past year, helping companies to not only portray an environmental conscience but also to establish themselves as a responsible and trustworthy organisation.

 

 

As a collective group of organisations, it is important for UK food manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to do everything they can to win back the trust of consumers. At QADEX we want to help food businesses get back on their feet, and our software can certainly keep companies one step ahead of the game to ensure their brand reputation is not affected. Click here to find out more.

 

 

 

 

 

New Mobile App for Beef Farmers! Published Date : 2014-09-04 11:07:44

Leading UK supermarket chain Morrisons has launched an exciting new app specially designed to help livestock producers simplify the animal management process as well as open up the communication lines between farmers, suppliers and retailers.

Currently available on Apple operating systems and soon to be launched in Android compatible format, the Morrisons Farming App is an industry first and according to Morrisons agriculture manager Andrew Loftus, it will help farmers “improve food safety, animal traceability, breeding methods and husbandry.”

From cattle birth registrations and pen movements to ordering new ear tag replacements, the development of the new technology brings the age old industry of farming into the 21st century. It even features a live link to the British Cattle Movement Service which gives farmers access to birth, death and movements data at the touch of a button.

Another standout feature is the automatic generation of a food chain information declaration, a document that is legally required by any farmer breeding livestock destined for the slaughter house. While activities and tasks such as these would usually take farmers hours, the new Morrisons Farming App revolutionises the process and is set to save farmers across the UK a significant amount of time and money.

In a recent press conference, Loftus explained “We want to help ease the burden on farmers by ensuring better information is available at the touch of a button to aid them when making decisions about their businesses. The launch of the app builds on the website we’ve also created to provide suppliers of beef, pork and lamb with unrivalled and immediate feedback on their consignments,” he added.

The app has received a hugely positive response from the agricultural community, with many tech savvy cattle farmers already taking advantage of the new technology. Even the National Farmers Union has praised Morrisons Farming App, with NFU president Meurig Raymond stating “Adopting technology like this new app is key to farming’s future and I’m delighted that Morrisons is making sure that it’s available to all beef producers.”

The company has pledged to continue to update and improve the app in order to help farmers make the very best decisions when it comes to their businesses. With plans to roll out the app to lamb and pig producers in the near future, Morrisons Farming App is set to take the agricultural industry by storm!

 

The 4 Side Effects Of A Sugar Tax In The UK Published Date : 2014-09-02 13:54:11

No matter which way you look at it, the world is currently experiencing a global obesity crisis, and the UK is by no means exempt. In fact, according to a recent article published in the Telegraph, one in four Brits now fall into the obese category. With this label comes an array of health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and even depression. So what’s being done about the nationwide issue? Let’s take a look:

The Public Health Responsibility Deal

Calling on companies to take responsibility for the wellbeing of the nation, the Public Health Responsibility Deal encourages organisations to take voluntary action, both as employees and as distributors of consumables. While the main focus is on tackling obesity by reducing salt intake and calorie counts, ministers are also pushing for voluntary front-of-pack labelling which will help consumers keep track of how much sugar they are devouring.

The Sugar Tax

We’ve seen hefty taxes slapped onto alcohol and cigarettes and it looks like sugar could be next in line. With many health experts labelling it as an “addictive substance,” England’s chief medical officer has advised that the country may need to introduce a sugar tax in order to curb the obesity epidemic. Designed to “save the nation from themselves,” the proposed sugar tax will put a premium on sugary products with the intention of discouraging people to buy them. While a number has not yet been confirmed, figures of up to 20% have been suggested by government agencies. What will this mean for the UK food industry?

• Healthier Brits

At the end of the day, the sugar tax is designed to reduce obesity and discourage UK consumers from purchasing cheap, sugary food and drink. According to a draft ‘action’’ document prepared for Public Health England, the introduction of a 20% tax is expected to reduce obesity rates by 1.3%.

• A boost for the tax man

According to statistics from charitable government food and farming advisor Sustain, the UK guzzles over 5,500 million litres of sugar laden soft drinks each year. Adding a 20p tax to each litre would result in an extra £1.1 billion of annual government revenue.

• Sugar substitutes

Should a sugar tax go ahead, it will inevitably see manufacturers turning to other forms of sweetener in order to appeal to consumer tastes. While natural sweeteners are preferable, they are not cheap which could see some manufacturers resorting to chemical laden artificial sweeteners in order to give their products that sugary hit. In turn, this could instil the need for counter industry regulations regarding artificial sugar content and quality in food.

• Education

While there are a number of drastic plans currently being considered, many health experts maintain that combating the obesity crisis is all about education. If children are not taught how to calculate sugar content and choose healthy foods from a young age, they are far more likely to grow up living an unhealthy lifestyle. As such, introducing food education into schools could become a reality in the very near future.

 

Customer Complaint Charges in Top Issues Raised to Retailers by Suppliers Published Date : 2014-08-13 09:52:32

Last week Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, announced the results of a widespread survey about the code and the top substantive issues raised by suppliers. Topping the list is charges for delivery shortages, followed by customer complaint charges, forensic auditing, forecasting error charges, lump sum requests and packaging and design charges.

 

With customer complaint charges high on the agenda of disputes between suppliers and retailers, it is important to address this issue as quickly as possible. All businesses have to deal with complaints, but how they respond to and manage customer complaints can have a noticeable impact on sales.

Supplier charges for customer complaints can add up to a substantial amount of money for the business over time; managing complaints better can lead to fewer complaints (and charges), happier customers and an increase in repeat sales. Overall, effectively managing customer complaints is the key to saving money and building a positive company reputation; but how can you keep on top of complaints adequately?

Here at Qadex we are experts in customer complaint software, and have years of experience in dealing with demanding customers. The easy-to-use software is designed to enable change and improvement in the business, while drastically increasing customer satisfaction and boosting sales. Qadex Vision software is flexible, allowing each food company the option to choose which

modules benefit their business and which tools aren’t relevant. Here are the top ways in which the software aids complaint management:

• Detailed complaint investigation and management which uses business intelligence, data and tools to reduce complaints across the business

• Gathers complaints from a number of sources including email, social media, customer care centres and websites, to ensure all complaints are dealt with consistently

• Auto alerts to highlight a complaint level above trend, which can enable businesses to flag a faulty product or batch

• Complaint reporting suite which automatically crunches numbers and supplies graphs and trends for complain analysis.

If you don’t know how much customer complaints costs your business, it’s time to work it out – and you’ll be shocked. You can easily improve that figure by implementing an efficient customer complaint management software system; it will do all the hard work for you and leave you with more time to get on with running your business.Want to learn more about managing complaints? Click here

 

Corporate Social Responsibility: What it Means for Your Business Published Date : 2014-06-24 11:18:21

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly popular in the commercial trading arena with businesses across the globe jumping at the chance to incorporate self-imposed social and environmental consciences into their operational policies. This willingness to invest in communities and protect the environment is expressed in a variety of ways, from profit percentage donations and annual contributions and sponsoring to ensuring produce is ethically sourced, morally produced, sustainable and eco-friendly. We give an overview of the three most common CSR areas and what they can mean for your business:

Sustainability

Sourcing sustainably grown or manufactured produce is one of the most resounding ways a business can take on its share of CSR. On a daily basis the global population is wreaking irreparable havoc on the natural environment through the unsustainable use of fossil fuels,

destruction of rainforests, over reliance on landfill and pollution of the ocean. The world simply cannot withstand this level of resource provision which makes for a despondently bleak future for the next generation. If every business committed to sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly products the pressure on the environment would be massively decreased. Popular sustainability business schemes include recycling policies, effective waste management, using renewable energy sources, sourcing ‘greener’ suppliers and making the change from paper to digitalised documents.

Fair Trade

While western countries have been taking advantage of third world cheap labour for decades, there is an ever growing call for businesses to support fair trade practices and ensure transactions are morally sound. This can be applied across all industries, from coffee and chocolate to textiles and technology. As wealthy first world nations, countries such as America, Great Britain and Australia have a social responsibility to ensure members of the less fortunate global population are not exploited, abused or taken advantage of at the expense of western affluence. Business that advocate fair trade are awarded with the Fairtrade Foundation symbol which represents a dedication to ensuring reasonable prices, safe working conditions and local sustainability for the population of the developing world.

Community Involvement

While CSR is generally associated with global social movements and environmental awareness, the sense of responsibility can also extend to the local community. This includes a range of social initiatives such as supporting local suppliers, sourcing local produce, backing youth development schemes, donating money to local charities and sponsoring regional clubs and organisations.

Incorporating self-imposed Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines is a great way for businesses of any type to have a positive global impact, both socially and environmentally. Not only will the policies ensure a better future for generations to come but they will also encourage

the business of ethically and eco-minded consumers.

Raising Standards in the Food & Drink Industry Published Date : 2014-06-16 10:19:40

 

The controversial ‘horsemeat scandal’ might be last year’s news but according to recent research, the aftermath is still well and truly in play. Studies commissioned by Hanover Communications and conducted by Populus revealed that 56% of British adults fear similar food related scandals will arise in the future, 47% believe food standards have dropped in recent years while 52% expressed suspicion over lesser known brands.

The Horsemeat ScandalHitting its peak in January 2013, the horsemeat scandal saw horse DNA found in frozen beef burgers across Europe. The backlash was immense and resulted in outrage from the UK public who felt cheated, scammed and sickened at the thought of what was concealed in their everyday food.

The Processed Food DisgraceFollowing the aftermath of the horsemeat scandal, more and more studies were conducted in regards to food content. Recent sample tests conducted in West Yorkshire revealed that a huge 38% of foods were mislabelled or falsely portrayed. Examples include mozzarella that consisted of only 50% cheese, ‘ham’ made from meat emulsion and beef mince that contained poultry and pork. Several juices were also found to contain additives or significantly more concentrate than the advertised percentage. Once again the public were left repulsed by the findings.

Seafood SuspicionsFrozen seafood has also come under heavy suspicion with news reports exposing the common use of water to bulk out weight and increase profit margins. This was seen in several manufacturers who included ice glaze as part of the NET weight. One study even found a particular brand of frozen prawns to consist of over 50% water. These sly tactics leave customers feeling understandably infuriated at the idea that food manufacturers are blatantly ripping people off.

While these various scandals left the food industry suitably embarrassed, there are several measures that can be taken to improve industry credibility, individual business repute and reclaim the support of the public.

Quality control is one such area that would benefit from a significant overhaul. Increased routine sampling, a traceable supply chain and the regular cross checking of content at all levels of the supply chain could have quickly stopped the horsemeat scandal from escalating to the height that it did. Tougher penalties and increased legislation checks for non-compliance would also be extremely beneficial to ensuring manufacturers remain trustworthy.

Individual brands would have a huge amount to gain from effective quality management software solutions such as Qadex that work to intelligently oversee the operations of all food safety, hygiene, labelling, allergen and quality control issues.

While consumers have become increasingly distrustful of food manufacturers, studies have also shown that over half of the British public considers local produce as the epitome of quality. This represents huge opportunities for UK businesses and the food industry as a whole to up their game and win back the confidence of mistrustful buyers.