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This World Food Safety Day: Be prepared for the unexpected
This year’s theme is ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected’. World Food Safety Day falls on 7 June 2024 and aims to draw attention to food safety incidents. This year’s theme underlines the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents, no matter how mild or severe they can be.
One of the primary aspects of food safety is assessing the risks associated with food consumption. This entails food professionals being aware and skilled-up to manage food safety incidents, as well as the involvement of policymakers, food authorities, food farmers and business operators to ensure our food is safe.
To zero in on the world of food safety, we talk to Kim Jorgensen, Food Technologist and an expert trainer across our food safety training courses.
The key ingredients of a food safety career
Tell us how you discovered food safety as a specialty in your career?
Food has always been an integral part of my life and food safety is a natural career progression for me. I have worked in many areas of food production and in businesses across the food industry, so I have plenty of experience which I can pass on to those new to the industry.
I enjoy learning new things and food safety is a dynamic arena where I am constantly discovering something new. Also, I like to try a variety of foods when I travel, so food safety is important to me.
What are the main food safety questions you hear from food professionals?
I get to talk about food safety every day, and I find students are curious about how to establish the best food safety processes and procedures in their workplace.
Many students want to know about labelling in particular, to understand key ingredients, allergens and additives. It is great to share this knowledge with students so that they can navigate the food world more easily.
Students are also really interested in what it is like to be an auditor, how to get into food auditing and examples from the field.
Tips to prepare for the unexpected in food safety
This year’s theme for Food Safety Day is “Food Safety, prepare for the unexpected”, how would you advise food professionals to stay prepared?
In food safety, knowing who to ask when an unexpected question comes up is vital!
So growing your network is important, to have a wide variety of people you learn from. In food safety, you never know who you might need to call for advice.
I would say join and subscribe to as many professional groups as you can, such as Australian Insitute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). Follow reliable social media feeds, and meet professionals at events in person.
You will get to meet some wonderful people along the way who are just as passionate about food and food safety as you are.
Entry points for food safety professionals
There are so many pathways into food safety, what is your advice for food safety professionals?
When you are just starting out in your career, get experience in as many parts of the business as possible. You can even change industries to gain experience across different sectors and specialties. Key courses early on are HACCP, Internal Auditor, Labelling and Allergen Management.
Once you have experience across a number of industries, you can fortify your knowledge with Lead Auditor training.
Food safety is constantly evolving, so you will be learning along the way every day.
What do you see as the next big trend in food safety?
Sustainability and food are inextricably linked. At the moment, there is a lot of research into alternative forms of protein. So insect protein as a food ingredient is a way of using vegetable waste to convert into high value protein with minimal input.
Designing your career in food safety
The food landscape is inherently varied and ever-changing, offering continuous opportunities for discovery at any point in your food career.
To support your journey, we’ve created a tailored pathway that outlines the most pertinent training for each stage of your food safety career.
Enjoy savings on your food safety training
Even better, you can now get your food safety training at 30% off until 30th June 2024.
Why Intertek SAI Global
We’re here to help build a world-class, globally competitive, and sustainable food industry today.
With over 25 years of experience and a global reputation built on first-class delivery and technical support. Intertek SAI Global has partnered with the food industry for decades, engaging with hundreds of food and beverage suppliers, manufacturers and contractors throughout their assessment and certification process – while making the process as seamless and simple as possible.
Adding value is at the core of our business and our processes. Let us show you how assessment and certification can add value to your business. Australia-wide, delivering over 60,000 audits each year, your local Intertek SAI Global team is equipped to support your unique requirements.