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How to Utilize Food Safety and Food Industry Consultant

Utilizing a food safety and industry consultant can significantly enhance your business operations, ensuring compliance with regulations and improving overall food quality.

Blog Banner presented by D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc., about Preparing and Collaborating with Your Consultant  How to prepare and work with your consultant to ensure that your company receives the best possible assistance efficiently and effectively adding value overall to your operation. 

Selecting a Food Safety Consultant

We should discuss how to choose a consultant first. When selecting a food safety consultant, it’s important to look for certifications that demonstrate their expertise and commitment to industry standards.


Here are some of the criteria to consider:

  • Familiarity with your food sector. Does the consultant have experience and understand the process related to your product?

  • Understanding and experience with GFSI benchmarked CPOs such as FSSC 22000, SQF, BRCGS, Primus, or whichever standard that your operation has chosen. Although they are similar in their focus on quality and food safety, they do have differences.

  • Having the knowledge related to the development, implementation, and maintenance of an effective FS HACCP Program for your food sector and specifically for your mode of operation. Understanding the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) process ensures the consultant understands how to identify and manage food safety risks.

  • Familiarity with ISO certification standards related to your operation. There are many standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, ISO 17025 and more which may be specific to a specific industry sector.

  • Familiarity with Regulatory Requirements such as FSMA and other FDA requirements. FSMA alone with its many regulations can be very complex. Or does your operation require an understanding of USDA regulations?

  • Are there options for specific training? What strengths does your consultant or the consultant’s group have related to training? Subject matter training can be linked to all of the previous bullet points. For example, are courses available related to regulatory requirements such as FSMA or training recognized by the International HACCP Alliance (IHA). Do they provide course material that is recognized globally and ensures the consultant has a thorough understanding of the requirements?

  • Food Safety Manager Certification as related to the material provided by the National Restaurant Association which covers essential food safety practices based on the current FDA Food Code which is widely recognized in the food industry.

 

These qualifications can help ensure that the consultant you choose is well-qualified to assist with your company’s needs. Do not be shy! If you are not familiar with the consultant or their company – ask for references.


Preparing and Collaborating with Your Consultant

How to prepare and work with your consultant to ensure that your company receives the best possible assistance while efficiently and effectively adding value overall to your operation. 


Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Identify Your Needs: Determine the specific areas where you need assistance, such as internal audits, documentation development, menu development or staff training. This will help you find a consultant with the right expertise.

  2. Research and Select a Consultant: Look for consultants with relevant experience and credentials. Interview potential candidates to ensure they understand your business and can meet your needs.

  3. Set Clear Objectives: Clearly define what you want to achieve with the consultant’s assistance. This could include improving current documentation/practices, confirming compliance with specific requirements, or ensuring compliance with regulations.

  4. Collaborate and Communicate: Work closely with the consultant, providing them with all necessary information and access to your facilities. Regular communication is key to ensuring effective results.

  5. Implement Recommendations: Once the consultant provides their recommendations, work with your team to implement them. This may involve updating procedures, training staff, or making changes to your facilities.

  6. Monitor and Evaluate: After implementing the consultant’s recommendations, monitor the results and evaluate their effectiveness. This will help determine if further adjustments are needed and ensure continuous improvement.


By following these steps, you can make the most of your consultant’s expertise, extending these additional resources to system compliance, continuous improvement and overall value added to your operation.


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