Food Online's Top 10 Of July

By Sam Lewis

What was most important to our readers in July? Take a look back at last month by reviewing the 10 most-popular articles that appeared on Food Online.

1. Debunking 5 GFSI Myths
   While there are many new policies — from both the private sector and governing bodies — designed to improve food safety, they have created some confusion and ambiguity regarding what GFSI is, what it wants to accomplish, and how GFSI will accomplish its goals. Here, Karil Kochenderfer, GFSI’s North American Representative, clarifies five common misconceptions about the organization and its mission.
    
2. Is Smart Manufacturing The Food Industry’s Next Revolution?
   Smart manufacturing is beginning to have a major impact on the food and beverage industry. No matter what you call it — Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, or connected enterprise — that influence will continue to grow.
    
3. Are You Ready For Your Next Food Recall?
   Obviously, a recall is one of the last things a food manufacturer or processor wants to endure. Food recalls wreak serious havoc on bottom lines, brand reputation, and consumer confidence; this is why food makers go to such great lengths to prevent them. However, despite the best laid HACCP plans, food security policies, and GMPs, food recalls still happen. If one were to happen to your company today, would you be ready for it?
    
4. Why Thorough Traceability Systems Are Crucial To The Food Industry
   Obviously, food producers, manufacturers, and processors are facing enormous challenges creating traceability systems that meet an ever-growing list of requirements. Here, Nye Hardy, a former director of food safety at Dole Fresh Vegetables, answers my questions about FSMA, traceability systems, electronic recordkeeping, and how to tie all of those things together to keep consumers safe, your supply chain well managed, and your company on top of the latest regulations.
    
5. FSMA, Traceability, And Electronic Record Keeping: What You Need To Know
   The Food Safety Modernization Act will affect the entire supply chain. Are you prepared for the safety, traceability, and record keeping challenges ahead?
    
6. Packaging, Processing Must Support “Clean-Label” Concept
   Around the food industry, the latest buzzwords seem to be “clean labels.” If you are unsure what the exact meaning is, you’re not alone. There is no standard definition. Still, clean label is a phrase, and the processing and packaging ramifications of clean labels are growing.
    
7. Why FSMA Needs Full Funding For 2016
   From time to time, the U.S. Congress passes sweeping laws that certainly appear to have a major impact on American society. Unfortunately then, the legislators fail to fully fund the implementation of the new regulations, leaving the impact in question. This may be the scenario for the Food Safety and Modernization Act.
    
8. 3 Factors That Influence Employee Acceptance Of Food Safety Practices
   Despite rigorous efforts to inform and educate staff, why does training not always translate to improvement in food safety practices?
    
9. 7 Ways Supply Chain Traceability Solutions Benefit Food Makers
   When the phrase “electronic traceability solution” is spoken in the food industry, some other phrases might instantly come to mind: “From farm/factory to fork,” “from harvest to table,” or “from plant to plate.” These phrases offer comfort that every food product that is tracked and traced is safe, and if a contamination event were to happen, the food would never reach the consumer. However, as we all know, even with the best prevention methods and traceability solutions in place, contaminations still occur.
    
10. Flat-Bottom Flexible Bags Stand Out In Food Applications
    Steady growth continues to mark flexible packaging’s food sector. According to the Flexible Packaging Association’s 2014 State of the Industry report, food accounts for 59 percent of all U.S. flexible packaging expenditures, with the food sector growing about 3.2 percent annually. The surge is fueled in part by the popularity of single-serving containers and value-added packaging that offers enhanced freshness and ease of use.