4th QADEX Supplier Approval Management Conference tackles ... · Web viewIt is joined by nine other food and drink trade associations including the British Retail Consortium and

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4th QADEX Supplier Approval Management Conference tackles vulnerability assessments Published Date : 2015-05-26 14:22:28

The 4th QADEX Supplier approval management conference was held on 20th May at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough.

Attended by a capacity audience of over 70 food and drink manufacturers, the event is the fourth in a series of conferences hosted by QADEX to assist food businesses tackle the challenges presented by supplier approval management.

The theme of this years event was vulnerability assessments.

Chairing the event, Professor Tony Hines of Leatherhead Food Research, and speakers included Professor Lisa Jack of Portsmouth Business School, John Figgins of BRC Global Standards and Stephen Whyte of QADEX.

Professor Tony Hines provided a fascinating introduction with insightful perspectives connecting historic fraud, horsegate and politics culminating in where we are today.

Professor Lisa Jack gave pause for thought with an extensive overview of how fraudulent food gets into the supply chain, indicators of fraud and provided some great ideas on the types of things food businesses need to be asking of their supply chains in order to identify resilience to fraud in your own business.

Research results were presented indicating that over 40% of occupational frauds are initially detected by tip offs, with management review being a distant 2nd at 14%. The benefits of a robust, confidential and trusted whistleblowing channel in every food business become clear.

John Figgins provided an excellent background and objectives to vulnerability assessments within issue 7 of the BRC Food standard along with an easy to follow step by step guide on how to complete a vulnerability assessment.

Stephen Whyte gave an overview of the QADEX tools available to assist with vulnerability assessments followed by some calls to action for the food businesses present.

Amongst these calls to action were:

For all suppliers who are not supplying high quality information on product specifications and self audit questionnaires, quickly, to be considered high risk.

Businesses to move to promptly delist suppliers who do not cooperate, it is envisaged that multiple delists will force these suppliers to improve or exit the food industry.

An excellent line up of speakers, venue, food and organisation was appreciated by all delegates, with some selected feedback comments being;

Brilliant, thanks!

Thank you!Good day. Thank you

Thank you very much

Really good, thanks!Excellent conference very informative

Useful conference with some good issues

Well organised event

Contents very current

Food and facilities were the best

No improvements possible

Excellent venue and arrangements

Very helpful, look forward to the next

This was very helpful

Well organised conference

It’s great, no improvement needed

Well done to all!

Planning for 2016 is already underway.

Would you blow the whistle on a boss or colleague if you suspected them of being fraudulent? Published Date : 2015-05-22 13:19:12

People in the industry are being encouraged to blow the whistle on co-workers they believe are involved in fraudulent activity. But would you take the risk? Read on for the plans set out by organisations to keep whistle-blowers safe.

‘Safe havens’ set to encourage food fraud whistle-blowers

As the problem escalates the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has announced plans to work in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency (FSA ) to combat food fraud and offer robust protection to whistle-blowers. At the core of the scheme is a plan to create a series of ‘safe havens’ where people can report cases of food fraud throughout the supply chain.

According to Chris Elliot t, Professor of Food Safety and Director at Queen’s University’s Institute for Global Food Security, the ‘safe havens’ are anonymous forums where workers can share intelligence and report any suspicions. Identity will be protected every step of the way which will encourage people to blow the whistle without the fear of losing their jobs.

Steve Wearne, FSA Director of Policy has praised the FDF for its efforts, stating “The FDF is showing exemplary leadership in bringing forward ideas for sharing information and intelligence.”

Industry wide collaboration

The FDF is not the only organisation supporting the establishment of ‘safe havens’ for whistle-blowers. It is joined by nine other food and drink trade associations including the British Retail Consortium and IGD Grocery Think Tank. This cross agency collaboration will play an integral role in combating food fraud and streamlining intelligence to catch food fraudsters.

A dedicated team of food fraud detectives

All information gathered will be dealt with using the of discretion that’s designed to protect both British manufacturers and consumers. Wearne explains, “We are working closely with our members to develop guidance on the handling of intelligence with a view to assisting members in identifying vulnerabilities in supply chains to inform their risk assessments so as to protect and safeguard UK businesses and consumers alike.”

So will the latest ‘safe haven’ scheme help the UK battle cases of food fraud? It’s an innovative idea but time , arrests and lasting results will be the major indicators.

With these safe havens initiated, could you blow the whistle on a boss or colleague if you suspected them of being fraudulent?

Cumin-gate Suggests Traceability Hasn’t Improved Since Sudan I Scandal Published Date : 2015-05-15 14:08:53

In the food industry labelling is of paramount importance. Not only does it give consumers the freedom to trace the content and origins of their food, but it also plays a critical role in keeping buyers safe . When labelling falls victim to fraudulent activity, the consequences can be deadly.

Cumin-gate scandal rocks Europe

One of the biggestfood labelling incidents to rock the industry has been the recent cumin and paprika investigation. Across Europe, the popular spices have been found to be contaminated with undeclared traces of almond and peanut residue. For consumers with nut allergies, this could be deadly.So what’s prompted spice manufacturers to contaminate their products with peanut and almond proteins? One theory is the recent failure of Indian cumin crops which saw prices for the spice skyrocket.While Jason Feeney, Chief Operating Officer at the FSA maintains that “there is no evidence of food fraud at this stage” he has confirmed that the Food Crime Unit will be investigating the incident further. But is it enough? 15 years on from the Sudan I scandal consumers expect traceability standards to be tightened. Yet the latest cumin and paprika incident indicates that the situation hasn’t improved.

15 years on and still facing food fraud

Back in 2005 the Sudan I scandal saw over 350 food products recalled due to contamination with an illegal food dye. With proven links to human cancer, the toxic dye was found in hundreds of soups , sauces and ready meals. It caused nationwide panic, and not without reason.

What’s being done?

When products pass through several supply chain stages before arriving on consumer shelves, it can be difficult to monitor purity and compliance. The Food Crime Unit is making an ample effort to catch the culprits, with Barbara Gallani, Director of Science & Health at the UK’s Food and Drink Federation explaining, “Countries and companies are taking this incredibly seriously because of the safety aspect for allergic consumers.”Meanwhile, the UK has joined forces with an international campaign targeting the undeclared use of nuts. With the EU, US and Canada all on-board, as well as trade associations and food manufacturers, the industry is hoping to pinpoint the source, and scale of the threat as soon as possible.

Woman bites into Monopoly iron in Sainsbury’s coleslaw Published Date : 2015-05-08 12:12:31

From used plasters and wriggling maggots to hairs and human nails, Brits have found some nasty surprises in their store bought food over the years. However the latest Sainsbury’s complaint is definitely a first, with a woman claiming she picked out a plastic Monopoly iron from her pre-packaged coleslaw.

Hailing from Hornchurch, Essex, Mrs Hinton placed a forkful of coleslaw into her mouth, only to bite down onto a Monopoly iron game piece. Thankfully she managed to spit it out before swallowing the mouthful however it does pose the question, how did it get there in the first place?

“I just could not believe it when I saw the iron. They don’t even sell Monopoly at the store I bought it in,” says Hinton. “How on earth did it get there?”

“I felt quite sick after biting into it, God knows where it has been, wrapped up in a snotty tissue in someone’s pocket? I could have choked or it could have been a young child,” she adds.

While she immediately got in touch with Sainsbury’s to report the incident, she fears that their request to return the packaging is a cover up in disguise. She also maintains that she’s emailed the Environmental Health department, however she’s yet to hear anything back.

“I’m going to wait to speak to them before I decide what to do,” she explains. Meanwhile the coleslaw is “still wrapped in cling film and sat in my fridge at the moment.”

Sainsbury’s has been reluctant to go into too much detail however a spokesman has revealed that “Food safety is our top priority and we take very rare cases such as this extremely seriously.” He asserts that the packaging request is due to the fact that they “need the container to identify the exact product and supplier, so that we can conduct a full investigation.”

With Hinton still sitting on her contaminated container of coleslaw, and Sainsbury’s maintaining they can’t take the investigation further until they receive the packaging and the iron, the complaint investigation has come to a temporary standstill. In the meantime, otherfood and beverage retailers can take the story as a lesson of the absolute importance of stringent quality control. The piece of plastic probably originated somewhere in the supply chain and came into the factory as a raw material – this means better supplier approval management could be called for in this case.

How to be a Successful Technical Manager Published Date : 2015-05-01 13:15:04

Here at QADEX we often give top business tips for companies as a whole, such as building a good reputation or making processes and communication more efficient. But it’s also important to think about having a successful career as an individual, to measure progress and career development separately from the company you currently work for. Read on for some expert advice on branding yourself as a technical manager and building an honourable reputation within the industry.

Think of yourself as a brand

You want to market your skills and assets as a business, which means you need to see yourself as a brand for career purposes. Think about your ethos and what you stand for – what are your unique strengths and attributes? What are you passionate about, what can you bring to a technical team? Then take a look at some of the best food brands and the approach they take to branding and marketing. If you were to come up with a tagline for yourself, what would it be?

Know your strengths and weaknesses

As well as confidently communicating your strengths, it is important to identify areas of weakness in your knowledge and skills. Finding these missing skills gives you the opportunity to build and develop the weaker parts of your portfolio, and pinpoint areas for improvement which

will make you a better manager. Be proactive in your approach to training and development in order to launch yourself further up the career ladder.

Keep on top of technology

Food manufacturers and retailers rely on technical management teams to ensure 100% compliance with regulations and legislation. With UK and EU legislation constantly changing and updating, it’s crucial to stay on top of technical developments which track current regulations.Technical IT software can also improve your performance in other areas too, such as dealing with complaints and keeping on top of approving suppliers. As a manager it is crucial you are open to new developments and opportunities for development within the industry, and technology is paramount to driving improvement.

Armed with these tips you should be able to raise your profile within the food industry and pave a highly successful career as a technical manager. Attending industry events and networking will also work in your favour to develop a good reputation not only in the company you work for, but in the entire industry. You could be headhunted for your dream role in no time.

Horsemeat Scandal Still Putting Brits off Frozen Food Published Date : 2015-04-24 13:33:21

The shadow of the horsemeat scandal still lingers two years on – a sign of the lasting effects of food fraud and adultery on the public’s opinion and ultimately, sales of frozen products. New research undertaken on behalf of The Grocer has confirmed that one in three Brits believes frozen food to be inferior to fresh food. According to the research findings, 17% of those questioned give the 2013 horsemeat scandal as the primary reason for their mistrust of frozen products.

Frozen vs Fresh

When it comes to putting consumers off frozen meat and frozen foods in general, a high proportion of the blame can be attributed to the 2013 horsemeat saga. Other reasons given for snubbing frozen products for their fresher counterparts include quality concerns and labelling issues. In total, 60% of the 2,000 people polled agreed with the statement “Frozen food is about on a par with fresh food,” with 32% saying it was worse. When asked why frozen food was worse, 57% said they believed it to be of a lesser quality, while 33% said they simply prefer cooking from scratch. A total of 7% cited unclear labelling as the reason for avoiding the freezers in the supermarket. Variety was also found to be an issue; 10% claimed there wasn’t a great choice of frozen products av

ailable to them while 12% of those surveyed said the foods they like to eat weren’t available frozen.

Locating the Snobbery Surrounding Frozen Produce

The research shows that consumers in the South West and London are most likely to turn their noses up at frozen food and opt for fresh. Of those polled, 40% and 37% respectively agreed with the statement “frozen food is not for people like me,” while only 22% of people in Wales agreed. Worryingly, when asked if they could be encouraged to buy more frozen food, 43% said there is nothing which would sway them to purchase frozen produce. When did it become normal to snub the frozen aisles?

Changing Negative Perceptions

It’s not all doom and gloom for the frozen sector, as 70% of those questioned agreed with the statement “frozen food is for me and my family.” Yet there does seem to be a growing prejudice

with 5% of people saying frozen food is old fashioned and another 5% admitting that they believe it to be cheap and embarrassing to serve up in the home. Frozen food brands need to

overcome these negative perceptions with the research suggesting consumers want a wider range of products to choose from. Areas identified for development to help persuade more shoppers to buy more frozen products included a focus on complicated puddings which are difficult to make

from scratch and specific ready meals such as gluten free and vegan.

Top Challenges Faced by Food Manufacturers in 2015 Published Date : 2015-04-17 13:23:09

As the UK enters the last month of 2015’s first quarter, food manufacturers should have clear-cut plans on how to address the obstacles to come. So what should companies be looking out for? Read on for an overview of the key challenges manufacturers are set to encounter in 2015:

Potential adultery in the food chain

Over the past few years food fraud has emerged as a major problem for manufacturers and retailers across the globe. With the potential to generate more income than other serious crimes

such as drug smuggling yet with far more lenient punishments, food fraud is on the up. With schemes now in place by the FSA, parties found guilty of food fraud face fines and jail sentences but crime within the industry is still a problem.

BRC v7

In January 2015 BRC Global Food Safety Standard Issue 7 was released and full audits will be commonplace by July. The new version includes a variety of changes including new rules on purchasing products from agents and assessing risks on incoming raw materials. Manufacturers will need to keep updated with the v7 requirements to keep their BRC accreditation.

Increase in unannounced audits

In 2015 manufacturers will have to be prepared for an increase in unannounced audits. These are designed to keep businesses on their toes and ensure that compliance is maintained at all times.

Tesco cutting 30% of their products in August

Tesco recently announced it will be cutting 30% of its products in August 2015, which seriously stung both British and international food manufacturers and suppliers. Supermarket competition will now be much greater, meaning that to win a place on Tesco shelves manufacturers will have to up their games.

Finding time in diaries to attend the QADEX conference

The QADEX conference is a must attend event for anyone with an interest in food safety and compliance. Of course, finding the time to attend the event can be difficult which is why QADEX is encouraging companies to pencil it in now and plan well in advance.

How can the food industry use social media more effectively? Published Date : 2015-04-10 13:15:16

Social media is a vital business tool, but it seems like the food industry is years behind other sectors. Engaging with customers through social media is crucial at all stages of the food chain, and those who refuse to risk missing out a high percentage of consumers. Building a brand and a positive public image can be difficult, but without the helping of online marketing and social media it can be near impossible.

Many food companies still haven’t embraced social media and the power it possesses, and most of those who have a social presence aren’t getting it right. So how can the food industry use social platforms more effectively and to its advantage?

Older managers to blame

Mike Greene, business mentor and entrepreneur thinks food companies are getting it wrong because many of them have older managers, or the budget is controlled by older individuals who just don’t get the gist of social media. He compares the shift to when the car was first invented and most people were still using horses for transport. He explains to FoodNavigator, “We’re seeing that with social media versus traditional media, and people just aren’t making the transition, because of fear.”

Nutritionist and social media guru Jenny Westerkamp agrees that food companies need to target younger consumers through social media, and brands need to create online personalities to become likeable. She said speaking to FoodNavigtor, “Because on social media we expect to engage with people, if brands can act like people then they’re going to be much better received by the consumer.”

Social Media Risk

Around seven in ten food companies have a presence on social media platforms, but only 43% implement a policy on how to use it. Without monitoring a brand’s online presence, there is a real danger to reputational damage. Social media can cause problems for food businesses, as it is such a public form of communication. The ‘Overheard in Waitrose’ Facebook page is a minor light-hearted example, but a restaurant in Manchester caused outrage recently following offensive public replies to clients who had left a bad review on Facebook. Without definitive procedures to follow and policies in place, social media can become a PR disaster.

Complaints

Social media has given a certain degree of power back to the consumer, by allowing complaints to go public immediately. Whether it be on Twitter or Facebook, a rapid response is crucial and remember – the whole world is watching. Managing complaints is an important customer service responsibility, so make sure somebody trustworthy is also managing the social media accounts. Specialist complaints software is a helpful tool so each complaint can be tracked, investigated and dealt with appropriately. Online complaints tracking can collate all data on the internet, identify real complaints and take further action if needed – which is essential for excellent customer service and to keep the good reputation of a company.

The Food Crime Unit: An opportunity to bury the hatchet? Published Date : 2015-04-07 16:37:21

The FSA’s new Food Crime Unit wants the industry to share information, some of which is sensitive, in order to tackle the ongoing problem of food fraud. The FCU faces a challenge – a lack of trust; a deep rooted suspicion of what penalties or media coverage may ensue as a result of sharing and cooperation.

Professor Chris Elliot’s Report into the 2013 horsemeat scandal recognised this challenge and recommended the adoption of a ”safe haven” approach where manufacturers could share information in confidence with an independent body that would then sort and filter information into intelligence to be used by the new Crime Unit. The report was also in favour of an intelligence hub to allow sharing of information between enforcement organisations.

There is a recognition by the FCU that, for this to work, manufacturers need to be provided with such a “safe haven”, but how do you convince them it is truly safe? In a recent statement, John Barnes, Head of the FSA’s Local Delivery Division said, “We’ve got to build the networks and you’ve got to trust us.”

But many retailers would argue that trust has to be earned before sensitive information is divulged. The government and Food Crime Unit has a similar capability although their remit is significantly wider, from retailer suppliers through to every small cafe and mobile catering facility. Fraud can occur at any level and has more often been in those smaller businesses that either struggle financially or find it very easy to slip through the net.

Many retailers have opted for a more holistic method to supply chain management, requiring the adoption of minimum standards within Quality Management Systems, supported by more

frequent and unannounced audits, quality training and partnership development with suppliers. As a result they are uncovering more issues and blocking those avenues of risk within their supply chains. Interesting to note that much of this method is recommended in Professor Elliot’s review as part of the “Eight Pillar” approach. So maybe the FSA could learn from this partnership between manufacturers and retailers?

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX said, “We need greater integration between public and private sectors to reduce the risk to the supply chain. To form an alliance if not a partnership, closing the gaps – they are our greatest weakness. Food fraud is like an infectious disease – it must be identified, isolated and firmly treated before it has the opportunity to spread.”

To find out more about QADEX’s food safety software visit:http://www.qadex.com/

About QADEX: Enabling step change improvement in food safety and brand protection, QADEX Vision brings every aspect of food safety, quality management systems, compliance, customers and new product development together in one simple dashboard.

TEST Published Date : 2015-04-02 16:09:27

Slaughterhouses in the Spotlight after Condemning CCTV Footage Published Date : 2015-04-02 14:46:45

Undercover footage reveals dark side of slaughterhouses

Animal Aid has been filming undercover footage since 2009. Bowood Lamb slaughterhouse is the ninth target and the first Halal enterprise it has dealt with . While a swift slit to the throat (necessary for some certain religious beliefs) does have the potential to be humane, covert footage revealed that Bowood Lamb’s animals were being treated with violence, contempt and cruelty prior to their deaths. Furthermore, instead of a clean cut many of the animals had their throats repeatedly hacked at using blunt knives. The video also unveiled a myriad of other animal cruelty offences including sheep being kicked in the head, jumped on by employees, lifted by their ears, drawn on with paint and thrown head first onto conveyor belts.

Animal Aid urges Brits to focus on animal rights, not cultural differences

As well as issues over animal cruelty the video has also led to fears that it could fuel anti-Muslim feelings in the UK. Animal Aid is urging people to look past any cultural differences and maintains that racism and bigotry have no place in its organisation. Representatives did admit that it could cause controversy however at the end of the day, “withholding release of the footage would be a betrayal of our key mission: to expose and combat animal cruelty.”

Highlight the need to vet suppliers

The footage is undeniably shocking and has rocked both the slaughterhouse industry and the British meat market as a whole. So what can the public do to combat such atrocities? One of the easiest and most effective ways for businesses to make a difference is to ensure they have robust supplier approval in place and ensure that all meat is being sourced from an approved supplier. Running supplier audit and risk assessment software is a good way to make sure suppliers are on top of their certifications and abiding by the law. If all businesses adopted this approach and audited slaughterhouses, it could have a marked impact on combating animal cruelty.

Is it up to Food Manufacturers to Tackle Obesity? Published Date : 2015-03-27 14:24:25

A recent survey has highlighted that politicians, stakeholders and policymakers have a lack of faith in food manufacturers to tackle the growing obesity epidemic. 62% of respondents said they didn’t feel that food manufacturers took the responsibility seriously and instead relied on supermarkets to take the lead – but who decided it should be the responsibility of food manufacturers anyway?

Obesity is a growing problem in the UK, with the overweight population costing the NHS £47 billion a year in healthcare and social costs – more than the UK’s combined “protection” budget for the police and fire services, law courts, and prisons. However it isn’t just a problem in the UK; it has been identified as the “global obesity crisis” as 30% of the world’s population are classed as overweight or obese.

In the food industry, tackling the obesity problem is viewed as the most pressing issue – over sustainability, employment and worries about pricing. Supermarkets have been identified as the main vehicle for change, with suppliers and manufacturers viewed as “failing to take the lead.” But why should they take the lead in the first place? Suppliers can’t take responsibility for how much of their produce people buy. Rather than pointing the finger at the manufacturer, the government needs to take responsibility for the uneducated consumers who can’t seem to understand the concept of a balanced diet.

The UK spends around £368m annually on obesity prevention programmes – but this is just 1% of the overall social cost of obesity. If more investment was put into education and prevention, consumers could make healthier choices and as a result less of the population would become overweight.

Consumers need to take responsibility for what they put into their bodies, rather than blaming anything they can – branding and advertising, 2for1 offers, product placement etc. It should be seen in the same way as smoking, which is the number one human-generated health burden. Yet there is probably much more awareness of the danger of smoking and much more money spent on discouraging people to smoke. If obesity education spending was matched, consumers could make an informed decision about whether or not to eat junk food and the implications later in life.

What is your opinion on the obesity crisis? Are you a food manufacturer or supplier with an idea? Let us know on LinkedIn.

QADEX Respond to First Convictions and Jail Sentences for Food Fraudsters Published Date : 2015-03-23 12:16:15

The first person to be sentenced connected to the horsemeat scandal could face two years in prison after admitting to criminal charges in January. Peter Boddy, the boss of a slaughterhouse where 17 horse carcasses were found, faces a jail sentence for failing to abide by the EU’s meat traceability regulations. In another food fraud case, a company director has also been convicted and imprisoned for replacing sea bass with a cheaper oriental perch, then forging an email confirming it was the same fish.

The FSA and other industry leaders have welcomed these convictions, as a step in the right direction for tackling food fraud in the national and global supply chain. Food fraud costs UK food and drink companies £11bn annually, and the horsemeat scandal was a multi-million pound deception. Food safety software company QADEX welcomes the prosecutions but is not certain it will lower levels of food fraud.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX, said, “Harsher punishment is absolutely necessary to deter criminals from targeting the food industry, so we welcome any jail sentences. These criminals have deliberately deceived retailers and consumers for their own gain, and actions like these tarnish the whole industry. It is vital that once identified these fraudsters can be prosecuted so the food industry is not seen as an easy target for criminals.”

The horsemeat scandal was first uncovered at the start of 2013, and two employees from Peter Boddy Licensed Slaughterhouse are due to be sentenced on March 28th 2015 in London. Since horsegate a multitude of other frauds have come to light. The company director of Michael Redhead Associates Limited had falsely described its fish product after it was discovered the type of fish could not legally be labelled as sea bass. He’d been providing his products to Iceland Foods and it is predicted around 390,000 falsely described products were sold nationally. Redhead now faces six months in prison and a £50,000 fine after pleading guilty to fraud.

Tracey added, “We’re yet to see the effect of these jail sentences on the lucrative food fraud industry – it still holds lighter punishment than other crimes so we’re not positive that criminals will be deterred. All food businesses need to be vigilant and only work with trusted and audited suppliers.”

QADEX software supports manufacturers, retailers and processors in all aspects of compliance and food safety. It efficiently audits suppliers and reduces the risk of fraudulent activity down the supply chain for food businesses. With automated reminders and certification checklists, food businesses can tackle food fraud head on enabling better brand protection.

To find out more about QADEX’s food safety software visithttp://www.qadex.com/


Will the Food Crime Unit Work? Published Date : 2015-03-20 12:32:28

After the highly publicised horsemeat scandal, among other cases of fraudulent food, it comes as no surprise that 2015 will see Britain introduce a Food Crime Unit (FCU). Set up with £2 million of government investment the unit will combat fears that UK food and drink companies lose a huge £11.2bn a year due to fraud.

Advice from the experts

Established to fight an increase in fraudulent food crimes, the special force was the key recommendation in a recent report drafted by Queen’s University Belfast professor, Chris Elliott.

Elliot maintains that while the UK boasts one of the world’s most stringent food safety systems there is still room for improvement. “I believe the creation of the national food crime prevention framework will ensure measures are put in place to further help protect consumers from any food fraud incidents in the future,” he explains.

Specialists take a tougher line

The new unit will be fronted by a team of experts working from within the Food Standards Agency. Unlike softer approaches that have been used in the past the FCU will treat food fraud as a serious crime. Experts maintain that this tougher approach is necessary due to the fact that food crimes have become a major problem over the past few years, with offenders quickly realising that counterfeit food can turn a serious profit.

Michael Ellis, assistant director of Interpol, told BBC News: “This has changed the scope of investigations. Criminals have realised that they can make the same amount of money by dealing with counterfeit food. Invariably the sentences are much lighter.”

A streamlined approach

One of the core aims of the FCU is to streamline operations across the board. With food laws currently overseen by the Food Standards Agency, the Department of Health, Defra, Trading Standards and Environmental Health Officers the unit will help to standardise operations and ensure that nothing slips through the net. Powering the FCU is next generation technology that makes catching fraudsters quicker and easier. This includes purpose built food testing labs as well as a dedicated investigation team.

Strengthening the British economy

As well as safeguarding the health of the nation the FCU will also play an integral role in protecting the reputation of British food and drink exports. Elliot asserts that at this will help the UK to open up international export markets, boost the economy, create new jobs and support the government’s long-term fiscal plans.

So will the FCU deliver on its promises or is it just a waste of resources? Only time will tell whether or not it’s enough to combat the UK’s billion pound food fraud crisis. Take a look at our software to see how food businesses can decrease their risk.

Live Maggot in a Cereal Bar? Kellogg’s Must Have Top Complaints Management System Published Date : 2015-03-13 13:13:08

If you’re about to sit down to lunch it could be a good idea to wait until after you’ve eaten your food to read this… Shockwaves hit multinational food manufacturing company Kellogg’s late last year when a customer claimed that it found a live maggot in one of its Nutri-Grain bars. While Kellogg’s didn’t ignore the scandal it did release a statement maintaining that it was

“extremely unlikely” that the maggot would have originated from its cereal bar manufacturing factory.

22 year old Londoner Nick Todd was the unlucky victim of the incident, claiming that he felt “physically sick” after biting into the bar.

“It was sitting on the top of the bar, wriggling round a bit. I can’t believe there was something in there, let alone it was still alive, I was nearly sick,” he recalls.

In response to the highly publicised incident Kellogg’s has launched a full investigation into the case of the mysterious maggot. A spokeswoman from the company maintains that “We take all complaints of this nature very seriously” and expect to arrive at a definitive answer. “This was reported to us on Wednesday and when we receive the specimen we will carry out a full and thorough investigation.”

One of the key factors Kellogg’s is using to defend itself is the fact that the high temperatures in its factories wouldn’t allow for any live maggots to survive. Yet Todd maintains that it was inside the airtight packet and he can’t understand how the maggot managed to survive.

“It doesn’t go out of date until next year and I don’t know how the maggot managed to survive when the packet is supposed to be air tight.”

Regardless of whether or not Kellogg’s is responsible for the incident the company had undoubtedly dealt with the complaint admirably. Public statements and thorough investigations play an important role in saving the reputation of a company. Given their swift, professional and in-depth response it’s safe to say that Kellogg’s is armed with robust complaints management systems and software that allows it to streamline all grievances. The ability to rapidly respond and action the complaint has allowed Kellogg’s to make the customer feel valued and recognised, as well as give the media something positive to work with.

While sales of Nutri-Grain bars may temporarily drop the company’s immediate response will ensure that it quickly regains consumer confidence and continues to enjoy its status as one of the world’s leading food manufacturing groups.

Managing customer complaints effectively plays a large role in successful food businesses.Complaints management software is vital to ensure each and every complaint is followed through.

Falling Oil Prices Increase Supply Chain Risk for Food Industry Published Date : 2015-03-09 13:32:34

The plummeting prices of oil is driving down global food prices according to a new report from Rabobank. Food manufacturers are benefiting from the decline in oil prices as it lowers the cost of production and distribution – but this could cause increased competition in the industry. The

sectors gaining the most from low energy costs were named as horticulture, coffee and milk powder, potato processing and beer production as these are typically high in gas consumption.

The bank predicts that the prolonged low cost of oil will put a downward pressure on food prices, and some products will reach multi-year lows. Lower oil prices could also open opportunities within transport and distribution, improving the reach of fresh produce. Food experts at QADEX predict that businesses may look for ways to reduce costs further by negotiating with suppliers and distribution companies.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX, said, “The sharp drop in the cost of oil has had a positive effect on many industries – the food and beverage sector included. Savings will be passed from processors to retailers, and eventually the end consumer. Competition within the industry is then likely to push down prices even further.”

For well managed procurement teams, the fall in oil prices could present an opportunity to identify parts of the supply chain which are anticipated to see reduced costs – and attempt to negotiate prices downwards. This could result in competition between suppliers, and retailers may need to change suppliers which could open up a number of risk factors.

Switching to a new supplier has the potential to cause problems; fraudulent activity could take place from people cutting corners lower in the supply chain, and there is always risk involved if

sourcing from a supplier with no history. Additionally retailers and manufacturers will likely experience costs of approving and managing new suppliers – but would it all be worth it to keep end prices as low as possible?

Tracey added, “Switching suppliers is often risky and can be a very stressful time for retailers and processors. Our software streamlines the process, and ensures all suppliers are risk assessed and up to date on certification before being approved. The team at QADEX are ready to help retailers and processors tackle the result of falling oil prices directly.”


About QADEX: Enabling step change improvement in food safety and brand protection, QADEX Vision software brings every aspect of food safety, quality management systems, compliance and new product development together in one simple dashboard.

Predictions for commodity price stability could help to reduce risk of food adulteration Published Date : 2015-03-06 16:59:47

According to industry experts one of the variables that contribute to economically motivated food adulteration is large swings in commodity prices. In turn this introduces instability in food supply chains and creates opportunities for fraudsters to substitute genuine products with cheap adulterants. This can occur at any stage of the supply chain, with products involving three or more parties particularly vulnerable.

Yo-yoing commodities cause chaos for the food industry

The price of consumable commodities can fluctuate quite significantly depending on a range of different environmental and social factors. While in the past products requiring expensive ingredients may have been discontinued or undergone a price hike today’s market has been infiltrated with an alarmingly high number of food fraud cases. This sees fraudsters rake in the cash while consumers are left to consume products that are impure, inferior and potentially dangerous.

Food substitution hits every sector

The horse meat scandal was by far the highest profile case, with scientists finding traces of horse meat in ‘beef’ products across Europe. Yet meat is not the only victim. The substitution of high quality ingredients with cheaper alternatives is now seen on almost every supermarket shelf. Pomegranate products are being diluted with red grape juice, frozen fish is being bulked out with water, honey is being mixed with sugar syrup and olive oil is being tainted with soya bean emollient. Not to mention the unauthorised use of counterfeit chemicals that can have catastrophic health consequences.

While cases of food fraud are present during stable economic times, Paul Brereton, coordinator of the EU Food Integrity Project maintains that fluctuating prices and global events can result in soaring cases of cheap adulterants.

Refering to his work with the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Brereton explains, “Working with other experts in Europe these systems are looking at how major changes in commodity prices and other global events can create the incentives for food fraud to take place. While it is difficult to predict food fraud events our systems will identify future high risk areas based on events that are taking place today.”

Britain takes a stand against food fraud

While swings in commodity prices may create a rise in the number of food fraudsters the UK government is not letting criminals get away unpunished. This year has seen the establishment of the £2 million Food Crime Unit which aims to fight fraudulent food trade, boost Britain’s food safety reputation and restore consumer confidence in the industry.

Controversial Advert for Campylobacter Published Date : 2015-02-27 13:08:15

Take a look at the picture below. What do you see? A drool inducing food porn advertisement or a campaign aiming to raise awareness of campylobacter? Whatever your interpretation, it certainly captures the attention!

Found in contaminated food, campylobacter infection is a type of gastroenteritis that can cause serious health problems such as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. Photoshopped by the art team at The Grocer, this picture is a playful interpretation of what could be done to help educate the nation about the dangers of campylobacter in raw chicken.

Editors maintain that the photo is a light-hearted response to the recent scaremongering tactics that the newly established Food Crime Unit (FCU) appears to be employing. Rather than focus on educating the public the FSA is taking a ‘name and shame’ approach, as demonstrated by its recent public discrediting of supermarkets selling chicken with high traces of campylobacter.

According to the FSA the public finger pointing was part of a drive to increase consumer awareness about the dangers of campylobacter. This was inspired by a recent Which? Report that revealed just 33% of Brits has heard of campylobacter infection. This is alarmingly low compared to 94% awareness of salmonella and 92% awareness of ecoli.

Yet while intentions may have been good industry experts claim that the FSA’s populist tactics could seriously damage the supply chain, reduce its capability to invest in strategies to reduce cases of campylobacter and do very little to educate consumers. Building campaigns on shock value could also make it extremely difficult for manufacturers to trust the FSA and provide sensitive information around food fraud risks.

The negative impacts of the FSA’s ruthless approach have already come to light, with national calls to boycott supermarket chicken and even ban raw poultry altogether. This will inevitably lead to a drop in the sales of supermarket chicken, regardless of whether or not the supplier was named and shamed. This completely contradicts the FSA’s aims of boosting Britain’s international food safety reputation, opening up international markets and restoring consumer confidence.

Instead, industry experts claim that taking a different approach to education could be the key. Eye catching images like the above could be an effective way of capturing consumer attention and educating them on the dangers of campylobacter and raw chicken.

In the wake of public response to its ‘name and shame’ tactics it may take a different approach that supports Britain’s food industry and focusses on educating consumers the right way.

What’s your opinion on the controversial campaign? Is this the way forward?

New Peanut Food Scare Highlights the Need for Supplier Compliance Software Published Date : 2015-02-26 15:00:40

The UK has been warned by industry experts that a new food crisis could be on the horizon, and be much more serious than the horsemeat scandal. A bad cumin harvest in India has had repercussions around the globe, and it is feared that fraudsters are replacing cumin with almonds and peanuts – which could have fatal consequences for the UK’s half a million nut and legume allergy sufferers.

Cumin is used in many of Britain’s popular products including curry, stews, soups and processed meals. Professor Elliot, who led the inquiry into the horsemeat crisis, predicts that the spiralling prices of Cumin will lead to the substitution of cheaper alternatives such as nuts. Two cases have already been identified and recalled.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager at QADEX, said, “Undeclared nuts in any food product is extremely dangerous, whether intentional or not. It is essential that retailers and manufacturers remain on high alert for any fraudulent activity, in particular mislabelled nut products which could sabotage food chains. Supplier auditing and management is made easy with specialist programs such as QADEX.”

This potential threat is the first serious issue which the FSA has had to deal with since the inception of the Food Crime Unit, which was set up in response to the horsemeat saga. Similar undeclared nut substitutions have been identified in the US, and Professor Elliot fears the failed cumin crop may have sparked fraud worldwide.

Professor Elliot is quoted in The Independent commenting on the food crisis, “This is the first real test of the integrity of the UK food supply system since the horsemeat scandal and it’s actually much, much more serious…Whenever there’s a crop failure you always have to look to

see what the potential fraud is behind that. This time the crop failure is cumin and it does seem to be that there has been fraud going on.”

Traces of nuts in food can cause a varied reaction in allergy suffered, ranging from sneezing and swelling to abdominal pain and cardiac arrest. In the worst case scenario these incidents are fatal which poses the question – if fraudsters are identified using undeclared nut products, should they be held liable for any permanent injury or deaths? Will the FCU and FSA toughen up the punishment on criminals in the food supply?

Tracey added, “We’re thankful that the alarm has been raised publicly, so manufacturers and consumers can remain vigilant. However it is worrying to see that food fraud is getting more serious, and the criminals clearly don’t care about – or realise they are – putting lives at risk. We are currently working on a risk assessment dashboard that will allow our customers to make informed choices when it comes to fraud.”



QADEX Warns Media Coverage Could INCREASE Food Fraud Cases Published Date : 2015-02-23 13:38:32

There is a growing number of food fraudsters infiltrating the UK supply chain, and experts within the food industry think increased media coverage might be to blame. With the Food Crime Unit recently put into action to deal with the growing threat of food fraud in the UK,

discussions in the media could be counterproductive and actively encouraging criminals to target the food industry.

It was recently reported that food and drinks companies lose out on over £11 billion annually to food fraud. Figures like this can tempt criminals to move into the lucrative food industry, especially when the chances of getting caught and penalties are low.

Tracey Cranney, Operations Manager atQADEX, said, “Offenders have quickly realised that fraudulent food can turn a serious profit. By publicising it so often around the nation, we run the risk of advertising the industry as an easy target for criminals.”

Over the past year, manuka honey and walnuts are just some of the products which were targeted by food fraudsters. The most well-known case of fraudulent activity is the horsemeat scandal, which affected retailers and consumers all over Europe. The widespread publicity and media coverage of the scandal put pressure on the government to act, which is why the Food Crime Unit was established.

The FCU is utilising a specialist investigation team and state of the art technology such as food testing labs to catch offenders quicker. But without harsher sentences, will the UK see a decrease in the case of food fraud?

Tracey added, “The problem is, food fraud holds much lighter sentences than other crimes, but offers the same profit. More and more criminals are realising this thanks to increased media coverage. We recommend all manufacturers and retailers to be extra vigilant in order to protect consumers.”

QADEX software rigorously audits suppliers and reduces the risk of fraudulent activity down the supply chain for food businesses. Auditing multiple suppliers and ensuring they have relevant certification is easy thanks to the simple dashboard and automated reminders.

Tracey added, “Don’t forget that when a case of food crime is discovered, the public only remember the name of the retailer involved – brand reputation is on the line for retailers.”



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4th QADEX Supplier Approval Management Conference tackles ... · Web viewIt is joined by nine other food and drink trade associations including the British Retail Consortium and