fbtechreview.comJULY - AUGUST 20258BY WUMI YUSUFF, MS, CFS, SENIOR DIRECTOR, FOOD SAFETY, FERRARA CANDY COMPANYDRIVING ENTERPRISE-WIDE FOOD SAFETY THROUGH COLLABORATION & EMPOWERMENTEnterprise-Wide Commitment to Food Safety OwnershipIn today's fast-paced and highly regulated food industry, ensuring food safety is not just the responsibility of one department, it's a shared commitment across the entire organization. Driving food safety ownership enterprise-wide is essential for building a culture of accountability, where every team member, regardless of function, plays a vital role in upholding standards and protecting consumers.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, food recalls in the U.S. increased by 26% between 2021 and 2023. The primary causes included undeclared allergens (47%), microbiological contamination (30%), and physical hazards such as foreign materials (10%). These figures highlight the importance of a proactive, enterprise-wide approach to food safety, ensuring that risks are identified and mitigated before they escalate into major incidents.One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through cross-functional collaboration and empowerment. By bringing together diverse expertise from across business units such as operations, quality, food safety, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, product development, procurement, and more, organizations can foster a unified approach to identifying risks, solving challenges, and driving continuous improvement. This collaborative approach enhances food safety practices and encourages greater ownership at all levels, from the production floor to senior leadership.The Power of Cross-Functional CollaborationThe importance of cross-functional collaboration cannot be overstated. Breaking down silos and fostering a culture of ownership and shared responsibility enterprise-wide is key to advancing food safety initiatives. Ensuring early buy-in from stakeholders is critical to facilitating successful implementation and sustainability.Everyone has a role to play, from the CEO to the shop floor. Establishing clear communication channels ensures a continuous feedback loop from the top down and the bottom up. Engaging, empowering, and motivating employees is integral to fostering collaboration and influencing teams to prioritize food safety.Leadership Commitment: The Foundation of Food Safety CultureLeadership commitment is fundamental to creating and sustaining a strong food safety culture. When leaders set the expectation that food safety is non-negotiable, it reinforces the importance of doing the right things and doing things right. Integrating food safety into business strategy further strengthens this commitment, showing that food safety is not just a compliance requirement but an essential part of doing business successfully.In addition, providing adequate resources and capital for food safety initiatives facilitates collaboration by removing roadblocks. When financial and operational constraints are addressed, teams can focus on implementation without hesitation or doubt.Challenges to Cross-Functional CollaborationWhile collaboration is critical, certain challenges can hinder efforts to build an enterprise-wide food safety culture. Some of these challenges include:· Conflicting Priorities: Competing business demands may take precedence over food safety initiatives if not clearly aligned Wumi Yusuffin myview
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