Quality Proves Fundamental To Food Business

By Bryan MacKenzie, Director of Quality, Berlin Packaging

Few industries are more concerned with quality than food manufacturing. Yet the need for quality goes far beyond food safety. Flavor, nutrition, shelf life, packaging performance, not to mention business imperatives such as competitive advantage and profitability, all rely heavily on quality.

Given all that is riding on quality in the food business, its pursuit would seem self-evident. Yet many factors conspire to downplay, obscure, or even work against quality as a goal. Perceived cost, a lack of awareness or knowledge, fear of change, and simple expediency are often enemies of improved quality. These issues mask what the marketplace — not to mention good business — would have to say.

Consumers demand top quality. Retailers expect it and, in some cases, will not stock a substandard product. Better quality products support premium prices and improved profit. Furthermore, a company’s goodwill can take an incalculable hit due to poor quality. Product failures have even forced some companies to close their doors.

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