Taking Food Standards to the Next Level in 2021

Taking Food Standards to the Next Level in 2021

Phil Lewis, Infor VP Solution Consulting EMEA, looks at why transparency is the holy grail for the food industry in 2021.

2020 has presented a myriad of new challenges for the food industry. Against a backdrop of increased demand, stringent safety measures, and the risk of shutdowns resulting from outbreaks, have converged to create a perfect storm. Some sectors have been forced to scale their operations by up to 30%, and in many cases, supply chains have borne the brunt of this. The ramifications of the pandemic have exposed significant bottlenecks and vulnerabilities, putting fulfilment and reputation on the line.

All of this comes at a time where consumers are demanding that food companies demonstrate more stringent safety protocols, and indeed greater environmental credentials, than ever before. Amplified by the pandemic, food companies are typically serving a market looking for reassurance and reliability in an otherwise uncertain environment. Instilling confidence through consistent fulfilment, and demonstrating best practice and safety measures, is therefore paramount.  

The digital divide

The extent to which food companies have successfully adjusted to the changes we’ve witnessed this year varies hugely. What has become clear, however, is that digital leaders are winning, while those still using legacy, or paper-based systems, are finding themselves in catch up mode.

It stands to reason that while paper-based systems leave companies exposed to the risk of inaccuracies, delays and duplication, digital platforms can seamlessly consolidate and contextualise insights from across the entire lifecycle to support efficient, effective operations.

And in recognition of the compliance and competitive benefits a modern, digital approach brings, many have invested in new platforms and functionality in order to achieve this important capability. But as we move into 2021, the question is more about whether these capabilities go far enough.

Transparency: the new traceability

There’s absolutely no question that being able to undertake a recall quickly to facilitate comprehensive, fast, effective traceability, is a crucial aspect of supporting compliance, reputation and customer service.

However, the legacy systems used by many food manufacturers are typically limited in their ability to conduct full traceability as they can’t access crucial supplier information. Only a minority of food companies have the sophisticated platforms to do this, but those who do, stand to create a substantial competitive advantage as consumers demand greater transparency in the food choices they make.

Forward-thinking food companies are already presenting QR codes on their products, which can be scanned by the consumer to view the item’s origin, from growth of ingredients to production, supply chain journey and associated environmental footprint, all of which demonstrate full transparency from farm to fork.

This clearly is aimed at building food trust at the consumer. Showing the evidence that the food has been produced in a safe and sustainable way strengthens brand loyalty. By using the data from the supply chain in a smart way, the food supply chain can realize many benefits such as increased quality, more predictable use before dates, and reduced food waste.

Many of the fruit and vegetables we see lined up in our local supermarkets for example, are imported from overseas. The very best systems can monitor the specific conditions of the supply chain they are processed through, incorporating variables such as container climate, delays and warehouse storage, in order to predict shelf life.

Transparent branding

In addition to meeting environmental targets, clearly the freshness of fruit and vegetables, and the origin and farming conditions associated with meat and dairy are key sources of differentiation between supermarkets. This level of transparency can in turn be used as a means of garnering greater trust between brand and consumer, and to win market share.   

Manual processes and legacy systems might tick boxes and facilitate traceability at its most basic level, but the risk of a full factory shutdown through an inability to locate the precise source of a problem, and subsequent failed fulfilment is high. Clearly the costs, and damaged relationships associated with this are not sustainable, therefore investing is modern digital capabilities to minimise waste and maximise transparency and consumer trust, have become prerequisites of market entry for food companies in 2021.  

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Issued by Perfect Word Consulting

For more information, please contact perfectword@trinitas.co.za

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. Providing mission-critical enterprise applications to 67,000 customers in more than 175 countries, Infor software is designed to deliver more value and less risk, with more sustainable operational advantages. We empower our 17,000 employees to leverage their deep industry expertise and use data-driven insights to create, learn and adapt quickly to solve emerging business and industry challenges. Infor is committed to providing our customers with modern tools to transform their business and accelerate their own path to innovation. To learn more, please visit www.infor.com.

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