Preparing for the Unexpected: How IoT Technology Enhances Food Safety
By: Tom Woodbury
Food safety continues to be a challenge for the foodservice industry. In the U.S. alone, there are 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually—the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans each year. It’s a chief concern for restaurants as serving contaminated food damages their brand reputation and can be quite costly. According to the National Library of Medicine, the cost of a single foodborne illness outbreak can be $2M+ depending on the type of establishment (fast-food, fast-casual, casual and fine-dining).
The restaurant industry is beginning to tackle foodborne illnesses by using technology to enhance operational efficiencies with safety at the forefront. Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are pivotal in food safety initiatives and empower restaurant managers and staff to take proactive measures to improve food safety, from using IoT sensors to ensure proper cook times and monitor hot holding temperatures to promoting better handwashing and hygiene through connected restroom technology and smart pest control.
Enhancing Food Safety Through Digital Temperature Monitoring
Temperature monitoring in refrigerators and freezers is a crucial area where IoT technology can make a substantial impact by automating the monitoring and logging processes and providing increased visibility into temperature conditions in cold holding units. Consider an overnight power outage: with digital temperature monitoring, wireless IoT devices inside refrigerators and freezers continuously record temperature data at predefined intervals. Even during a power outage, these devices can keep capturing readings, creating a backlog of data that is transmitted once power is restored.
This data provides valuable insights into temperature conditions during the outage, informing operators whether food remained within safe temperature ranges. If temperatures exceeded safe thresholds for an extended period, operators know the food is unsafe to serve. Without automated solutions, workers don’t know if, or for how long, temperatures deviated from safe zones, making it difficult to determine whether to dispose of food. Food simulant temperature probes can further enhance food safety by mimicking food’s internal temperature. This adds an extra layer of safety and accuracy by not just tracking the air temperature, but the actual impact on food.
Another benefit of digital temperature monitoring solutions is real-time alerts, which notify operators when temperatures exceed predetermined thresholds, enabling swift remedial action to prevent food spoilage or loss. By ensuring that food is held at proper temperatures, restaurant operators can avoid costly repercussions associated with food spoilage while maintaining quality and efficiency and meeting safety protocols.
Mitigating Operational Hazards with IoT: From the Kitchen to the Restrooms
Recognizing the benefits of automating temperature monitoring, restaurateurs are now seeking to leverage IoT to enhance other aspects of food safety operations, such as ensuring staff adheres to proper handwashing practices and quality standards. According to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, only one in four workers washed their hands after
preparing raw animal products or handling dirty equipment, and only one in 10 workers washed their hands after touching their face or body. With the ease of spreading bacterial diseases like e-coli, and salmonella, adherence to strict hygiene practices is crucial in reducing food safety incidents.
Smart restroom solutions can enhance hygiene by reducing the spread of germs among staff and preventing cross-contamination of food. Sensor-activated faucets and soap dispensers promote improved handwashing practices, while real-time monitoring of soap, sanitizer, and paper towel levels ensures these supplies are always available at kitchen handwashing stations and public restrooms. This constant availability of hygiene products and touchless fixtures minimize surface contact, further promoting food safety. Additionally, cleaning schedules can be optimized based on usage data, ensuring restrooms are hygienic and fully stocked for employees and customers.
In addition to improving sanitization, IoT can also help improve food safety by extracting data from kitchen equipment, providing centralized visibility into restaurant operations and key performance indicators. For example, IoT devices allow operators to remotely monitor oven temperatures, cook times, and fryer oil quality, ensuring that food safety and quality processes are maintained even during peak demand.
Pest control is another critical area where IoT technology can make a difference. Pests like rodents pose a major threat to food safety by transmitting diseases, contaminating food, and creating unsanitary conditions. Connected pest control solutions allow for the remote monitoring of trap activity 24/7, preventing infestations that could lead to substantial monetary losses and irreparable harm to a brand’s reputation.
Advancing Food Safety: A Proactive Approach
IoT technology empowers foodservice management to take proactive measures and drive better food safety across all areas of their operations. By leveraging digital temperature monitoring, enhancing hygiene practices, and ensuring effective pest control, restaurant owners, managers, and staff can significantly improve food safety effectiveness. The future of food safety is here, and it’s interconnected, intelligent, and indispensable for ensuring the health and well-being of consumers worldwide.
About Tom Woodbury
Tom Woodbury is an IoT Solutions Consultant at MachineQ, an enterprise IoT company within Comcast. He also serves as a committee member with the Conference for Food Protection and is responsible for helping to author recommended technology-related food codes.
To read more great articles you can use, visit www.trnusa.com
Recent Comments