There is something wonderfully predictable about the British summer, these days it is either a rainy wash out or a hot dry desert (sometimes both on the same day); much like the rest of Europe and North America. The forecast shows three consecutive days of sunshine, the temperature creeps above 25°C and suddenly the nation’s … Read more
World Food Safety Day is one of those awareness days that can easily become a little too polite. A few posters. A few hashtags. A reminder that food safety matters. Perhaps a photograph of someone in a hairnet giving a thumbs up beside a colour-coded chopping board. All useful enough, but not quite the point. … Read more
As businesses push to improve sustainability credentials, packaging has become one of the most visible expressions of ESG progress. When these changes are introduced under seasonal pressure, particularly in the run up to Christmas, they can also introduce less visible food safety, regulatory and recall risks. In this joint white paper, RQA Group and BluNiche … Read more
Introduction Frozen food doesn’t exactly scream “public health threat.” Yet over the last decade, viruses like Norovirus and Hepatitis A have hitched quiet rides on everything from strawberries to salad leaves, triggering outbreaks, recalls and nervous glances at the freezer aisle. We often hear about one-off incidents, a contaminated batch here, a spike in testing … Read more
Exploring the Microbial Side of US–UK Food Trade Tariffs don’t usually make the average person think about microbes. But in the food manufacturing and recall insurance sectors, they should. From chlorinated chicken to differences in antimicrobial use, the knock-on effects of trade policies go far beyond the price at the checkout. Following the announcement of … Read more
A Sustainable Christmas: How ESG in Food Manufacturing Can Save Christmas (and Your Brand) The rapidly approaching holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness and potentially a heightened risk of food recalls. While Christmas lights are twinkling and kitchens are filled with festive treats, food manufacturers are under immense pressure to keep up with … Read more
Recall Prevention Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a critical concern in the food industry, known for causing severe foodborne illnesses and product recalls. While the E. coli O157 strain is likely the most recognised, it’s important to note that many other STEC serogroups also present significant risks. Familiarity with the diversity and complexity of … Read more
By Gill Dando – Principal Consultant The UK’s food manufacturing industry, a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, faces a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining skilled technical professionals. In this article we explore the pressing issues, root causes, and initiatives aimed at securing a prosperous future for the industry. Current state With an annual … Read more
By Gill Dando – RQA Group Principal Consultant ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but nothing dampens the holiday spirit faster than a badly placed piece of alliteration in the form of a “Christmas Culinary Catastrophe”, hereon known as the dreaded 3Cs! As we prepare to deck the halls and fill our tables with festive … Read more