Food verification activities constitute an integral and vital part of your entire food safety system. However, what makes a verification checklist useful is not just the list of activities, but also the manner of organizing them into a meaningful progression. Learn more in this article the top 5 food verification tasks which are an absolute must for any food verification program.

Food verification

The first on the list is the preparation and/or production of samples. Samples can be prepared through different ways. One way is by using a Q-switched microscope for biopsy, which can be manual or automated. Another way is through bacterial culture. If the sample is not suitable for immediate processing, it can be frozen at -20 degrees Celsius to remove microorganism’s ability to grow. Samples can also be obtained through heat or chemical precipitation.

Next on the list is the identification of food components and product containers. You need to check for the complete functional properties of food products and identify each and every one of them. This includes texture, color, size, smell, taste and more. Of course, you are not checking for purity as part of the food verification procedure. The aim of the check is to ensure safe and balanced preparation of the food product.

Lastly, you need to cross-check the information provided for the food product and make sure that all of them match with the required data. As mentioned before, data and specifications are very important during food processing. By performing these functions, you ensure accuracy and save valuable man hours.

There are many aspects which we may overlook while performing these functions. The two examples are in sorting out genuine from non-genuine food and in verifying the expiration date of food products. Apart from these, food manufacturers also have to verify the proper storage conditions of their products especially if they are meant for commercial purposes. They should also check if the foods they are distributing fit in well with the required nutritional requirements and do not pose any health hazards.

Food verification is indeed very significant when it comes to safety. It saves lives and prevents many infestations too. In order to save food supply, contamination can be checked right at the production and processing stages. This will definitely help save money, time and efforts in the long run.

However, there are some food manufacturers who take the verification process for granted. They do not bother about the food quality or safety and just see to the production of the product. They do not conduct proper research or test their products before selling them to retailers and other third parties. This can pose a huge threat to human health as well as to the environment. The food contamination can spread by simple sharing of gloves, cups, containers, cutting boards and other utensils used during food preparation and handling.

Food manufacturers must realize that this is an essential and unavoidable task that needs to be performed. They need to comply with all government regulations strictly to prevent any violation of the law. They need to follow the standards set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). By doing so, these companies will be safeguarding consumers’ health as well as the environment. By doing so, they will be able to maximize sales and revenue.