Welcome, Food Safety Managers, to a Productive 2025! 

As we enter 2025, it’s a perfect moment for food safety managers to reflect, regroup, and revitalise how we manage food safety. We all know that things don’t always go as planned, but without a strategy, we end up reacting to emergencies instead of being proactive. To prevent stress and chaos, it’s crucial to take charge and prioritise key activities, ensuring your food safety system is well-managed and controlled. 

As the leader of your Food Safety Team, guide your system with confidence and organisation. Stay one step ahead, maintain your calm, and you’ll find more enjoyment in your work. This proactive approach fosters a culture of excellence. With annual surveillance audits on the horizon, now is the time to plan effectively.  

Here are 6 ways to prepare your food safety management system for the year ahead 

  1. Reflect and Learn 

Begin by diving into last year’s audit results. Identify what went well and what didn’t. These insights will lay the groundwork for your planning. This year, let’s focus on building our strengths and tackling weaknesses head-on. 

  1. Budget and Resource Allocation 

Take a close look at your 2025 budget. Determine the resources you’ll need—both in terms of personnel and materials—to sustain a successful food safety management system. Consider areas that might require more investment, such as training or technology upgrades. Address each key item, as they could significantly impact your budget. Perhaps this is the year to move to a digital compliance system which will help you simplify, streamline, automate, and manage your food safety system more effectively and efficiently. 

  1. Assess Suppliers 

Conduct thorough supplier assessments. Evaluate the performance of key suppliers and service providers, like those handling:  

  • Pest control 
  • Calibration 
  • Laboratory testing 
  • PPE 
  • Cleaning chemicals 
  • Packaging 
  • Raw materials, and  
  • Ingredients.  

Identify where improvements, changes, or cost savings are possible. Prioritise actions based on food safety and quality risks. 

  1. Aligning with Organisational Goals 

Ensure your food safety objectives are in sync with your organisation’s broader goals. Consider any new projects on the horizon and how your food safety management system can support these initiatives. Set clear, measurable goals to guide your actions throughout the year. 

  1. Training and Development 

With staff changes and new hires, food safety training becomes vital. Evaluate your team’s training needs and roll out a comprehensive program centred on food safety practices. This ensures every team member has the knowledge and skills to maintain high safety standards. 

  1. Embrace New Products and Processes 

If new products or processes are on the agenda this year, it’s essential to manage them within your food safety framework. Identify potential risks and implement controls to mitigate them, ensuring they integrate seamlessly into your existing system. 

January 2025 Kick-off 

To help you stay organised and ahead of the game, here are a few suggested activities for your January kick-off: 

  • Start with a team meeting: Bring your food safety team together to dive into the results of your internal and external audits. Identify your strengths and areas for improvement to set the stage for success. 
  • Dive into data analysis: Take a close look at your key quality and food safety control steps. Determine what’s working well and where adjustments are needed to enhance performance. 
  • Action plan review: Revisit the minutes from your last management meeting. Make sure all critical items are captured in your action plan to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. 
  • Waste and rework assessment: Reflect on last year’s waste and rework. Identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate inefficiencies, and explore new monitoring controls that could help streamline processes. 
  • Set SMART goals: Develop a list of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for food safety and quality in 2025. Ensure these align with your company’s broader objectives. 
  • Budget for success: Start shaping your Food Safety Budget for 2025. Allocate the right resources to implement your goals and capitalise on new opportunities. 
  • Plan your year: Create a comprehensive calendar for 2025 that outlines key tasks, meetings, and events related to food safety. This will keep you organised, focused, and ready to tackle the year ahead. 

These steps will set you on the path to a productive and successful 2025 in food safety management. 

Conclusion:  

This year presents a unique opportunity to enhance your food safety management system. Use January to lay the groundwork for success by developing a clear and actionable plan. Approach the year with confidence and determination, guiding your team towards a more robust and cohesive compliance framework. We wish you every success in achieving your goals for 2025 and beyond. 

For help with your food safety compliance system or training, mail us at info@entecom.co.za

Related Posts

Search & Filter our blog

  • Filter by Category

About

Entecom has been assisting businesses with Food Safety and Quality System certification for over 15 years with our consulting support services and equipping staff with the necessary skills to implement, maintain effective Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.

Almost complete 90%

Download e-Book