[Up Front]

What is the greatest asset you have in implementing food safety and food defense programs? The experts will tell you that your employees are your best asset and the best investment to enhance your company’s food protection program. But, to be good assets they must be included, accountable, empowered and educated in the issues and programs. You have to establish a plant culture where food protection is a way of life.

Whether you establish this culture with in-plant training sessions or through your daily interaction, the key is to constantly remind employees of their responsibilities, update them on concerns and issues, and point out important events within the company and industry. By involving employees in issues at hand (whether it’s a cleaning issue or program failure) they are able to start thinking critically and can participate in assigning corrective actions. Setting a culture of food protection has to start at the executive level and trickle down through management to floor employees. The culture has to be a consistent value that is accepted by all.

There are many different educational resources and products developed by AIB and other service providers to help you develop and implement prerequisite programs. But these materials are only effective if the culture of the facility not only encourages food protection as the central goal, but also lives and breathes it. Executive leadership often believes and understands the importance of food protection, but does not live it by example every day. Business challenges happen every day in a food facility and the executive leaders have to respond. But, often times these challenges consume the majority of the leadership team’s schedule and energy, leading to food protection failure. Protecting our food supply relies on well-designed programs. No matter how effective these programs are, they require constant attention. Food protection is a full-time job.

Company leaders must create a plant culture that meets every day demands and pays attention to detail. Dedication to food protection programs and ensuring that employees understand that food protection is their main priority are essential. After working for 34 years in a variety of food plants I have learned that employees respond to plant and corporate leadership examples.

Creating a culture of food protection by providing training and resources effectively reduces the chance for failure and creates an atmosphere for success and continuous improvement. AIB

The author is Vice President of Food Safety Education, AIB International.