Blog posts of '2023' 'June'

Always Food Safe, a leading provider of food safety training and certification programs, has recently launched its new Learning Management System (LMS)-an integrated food safety training program. The program is designed to provide comprehensive food safety training to food service workers and professionals across various industries, including hospitality, healthcare, retail, and education. 

User-Friendly Interface and On-Demand Access 

The LMS-integrated food safety training program offers learners the ability to access training modules through their company’s already-established LMS platform. 

This not only saves time and effort in terms of navigating a new platform, but it also allows for on-demand access to training materials that can be completed at the learner’s own pace.  

Additionally, the user-friendly interface of the LMS-integrated training program ensures that learners can easily navigate through the material and complete their training with minimal confusion or frustration. This is especially important in the context of food safety training, as it is crucial that learners fully understand and retain the information being presented to them. 

How It Works 

Always Food Safe’s ANSI-accredited food safety program is SCORM compliant, which allows our training to reside on your platform. This allows you to track learner knowledge retention and accredited certifications in one place. 

1.      Always Food Safe provides training programs in SCORM format to upload to your platform. 

2.      The API integration then allows your staff to complete certifications online. 

3.      Upon completion, all certifications are sent back to your LMS platform to be stored. 

Customized for Effective Learning 

One of the main advantages of Always Food Safe’s LMS-integrated training program is that it provides a high degree of customization. Learners can choose from a range of modules that cover topics such as food handling, contamination prevention, allergen management, and sanitation. 

The platform also includes interactive features, such as quizzes, assessments, and real-life scenarios, which help learners apply their knowledge in practical situations. Additionally, the LMS-based environment provides up-to-date information to learners. This information can be valuable as it helps them stay on top of changing food safety regulations and best practices. 

Learner and IT Support 

Another standout feature of Always Food Safe’s training program is its emphasis on superior customer service and IT integration support. From initial sign-up to completion, learners have access to customer service and IT support whenever needed. This is particularly beneficial for new learners who may need guidance on where to begin and how to make the most of the platform. 

Easily Scale Your Certification Program 

Always Food Safe’s LMS-integrated training program is both cost-effective and time-efficient. Learners can complete the training at their own pace, without sacrificing work commitments or taking time away from their daily schedules. The platform’s cost-effectiveness also means that organizations with many staff to train can do so quickly and affordably. 

Always Food Safe’s LMS-integrated food safety training program is a valuable resource for anyone in the food service industry. Its user-friendly platform, high degree of customization, interactive approach, access to up-to-date information, and customer service make it stand out from the crowd. 

Learn more about how we were able to certify over 2,000 staff in as little as 7 months! 

Introduction to World Food Safety Day 

Food safety is a global concern that affects everyone, from the farmer who grows the food to the consumer who eats it. Foodborne illnesses are a major public health issue, causing millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths every year. In response to this problem, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 7th as World Food Safety Day in 2018. The aim of World Food Safety Day is to raise awareness about the importance of safe food and to promote measures to ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food.  

Importance of Food Safety 

Food safety is essential for protecting public health and ensuring that food is safe to eat. Unsafe food can cause a range of illnesses, from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to life-threatening conditions. Foodborne illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemical contaminants. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Ensuring food safety is also important for promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and economic development.  

History of World Food Safety Day  

World Food Safety Day was first celebrated on June 7th, 2019, following a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. The resolution recognized the importance of safe food and called for global cooperation to improve food safety. The theme of the first World Food Safety Day was "Food Safety, Everyone's Business." The day was celebrated with events and activities around the world, including conferences, seminars, and educational campaigns.  

Global Food Safety Standards and Regulations 

Food safety is regulated by national and international standards and regulations. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, develops international standards and guidelines for food safety. The Codex standards cover all aspects of food production and distribution, from farm to fork. National food safety agencies also have their own regulations and guidelines.  

Common Food Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Them 

There are many potential hazards that can affect the safety of food, including biological, chemical, and physical hazards. Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses. Chemical hazards include natural toxins, food additives, and contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals. Physical hazards include foreign objects such as glass, metal, and plastic. To avoid these hazards, it is important to follow good food safety practices, including washing hands and surfaces, cooking food to the correct temperature, and storing food properly.  

Food Safety Tips for Businesses 

Food businesses also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the food they produce. Some important food safety practices for businesses include:  

• Training employees on food safety  
• Maintaining a clean and sanitary environment  
• Using safe food handling practices  
• Following proper cooking and storage procedures  

• Keeping accurate records of food safety practices  

Food businesses also have legal requirements for food safety certifications. Using a company like Always Food Safe to train and certify your staff is a way to protect your business and customers.  

Innovations in Food Safety Technology 

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring food safety. Some of the latest innovations in food safety technology include:   

• DNA-based testing for foodborne pathogens  

• Blockchain technology for tracking the movement of food through the supply chain   
• Mobile apps for food safety monitoring  
• Automated food safety inspections using artificial intelligence 

Conclusion 

Ensuring safe food for all is a global responsibility that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, from farmers and food businesses to consumers and governments. World Food Safety Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and to promote measures to improve food safety around the world. By following good food safety practices and supporting initiatives to improve food safety, we can help ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food.  

Join the global effort to promote food safety by supporting World Food Safety Day and advocating for measures to improve food safety in your community. Together, we can ensure safe food for all. Contact us at help@alwaysfoodsafe.com to get started on your food safety training today!