Here we are. Almost the end of 2021.
We couldn’t have made it through without you.
So thank you.
It’s fair to say that the second half of 2021 has been one heck of a ride. But together we made it!
The pandemic has posed significant challenges for food retailers over the last year. With national lockdowns and trading restrictions impacting customer demand, regular sales channels, and supply chain management. Businesses have found it more difficult than ever to provide a consistent, high-quality service.
One of the most serious implications of the pandemic has been its effect in exacerbating the risk posed by food fraud. The presence of adulterated, mislabelled and low-quality products within the supply chain have always been a problem for food retailers, but the disruptions to monitoring efforts and regulatory processes over the last year have exacerbated the issue.
Industry reports suggest this heightened risk is likely to persist for many months to come. It is therefore essential for businesses to root out food fraud and put a stop to this damaging trend.
Lastly, a number of words are used to describe Food Fraud, Food Defence etc. but the actual definition of Food Security = “People’s access to food to Survive”. Food for thought.
The presence of adulterated, mislabelled and low-quality products within the supply chain have always been a problem for food retailers, but the disruptions to monitoring efforts and regulatory processes over the last year have exacerbated the issue.
We wanted to take this opportunity to show you some of the great people we have on the team and the events we’ve created, even with the challenges this year has brought.
Allergen Contamination
Allergens again took out the top spot for Food Recalls in 2021 in New Zealand. Our article looks at the top four allergen recall root causes. Read more here: https://produco.co.nz/2021/08/09/how-to-avoid-product-recalls-due-to-allergen-contamination/
Biofilms in the Food Manufacturing Industry
Our latest blog talks about Biofilms in food manufacturing environments, recurring issues, and how to manage them. Have a read of the article: https://produco.co.nz/2021/12/08/manage-biofilm-in-food-manufacturing/
Our People - Gavin Kouwenhoven
Gavin Kouwenhoven joined the Produco team in September and brings specialist consultancy advice in the Meat and Seafood sectors. Based in Queenstown we are thrilled to have him as our South Island team member.
Gavin was General Manager in a family-owned, value-added food company with extensive involvement in Food Safety, Quality and Product Development areas. Coming through the operations side of the business, ensured his ability to understand production needs while meeting safety and quality parameters has been instrumental in developing new products and enabling existing products to be profitably sold in the marketplace.
Working in a small management team, adaptability and awareness of many areas of the business were vital in maintaining regulatory and customer compliance. His combination of hands-on experience and a Commerce Degree to support his skillset.
I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and helping businesses meet the varied challenges producing food can bring – from Product Development to Production Improvements to Regulatory Compliance. Some of my highlights include:
- Develop and implement a HACCP based RMP for an export packhouse
- Company representative for successful external audits from customers (WQA, BRC) as well as local (MPI) and international (FDA) regulators
- Install and operate a retort vessel
- Obtain certification as an Approved Person for LACF
- Part of the team that won the Supreme NZ Food Award 2014 with a Smoked Salmon product we developed and produced
- Install and operate a High Pressure Processing vessel to shuck raw mussels and to use as listeriacidal step
- Develop HACCP based documentation and operate a food facility with multiple food types – fish, shellfish, pork, beef, chicken
- Develop new product
- Assist with packaging design and compliance
Jade Elliott - QA Project Manager
We are also excited to have Jade join the Produco team in a Project Manager Quality Assurance capacity.
With over 20+ years of experience in food manufacturing functions such as Supply Chain, Production, Technical & Laboratory, Food Safety Quality, and Human Resources, Jade has a large kete (basket) of knowledge and skills that continues to grow.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata!
What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people! The people are what I enjoy most about Produco.
My kete (basket) of knowledge and skills includes:
- Project and Programme Management
- Dairy Industry experience
- Change Management
- Leadership Coaching
- Māori culture and customs
- Continuous improvement (Lean Methodology, Six Sigma), Operational Excellence and Integrated Work Systems
- Business ownership
- Organisational Health & Engagement
- Health & Safety Management
- Agile Methodology
- Strategy & Business Plan Development
- Problem Solve Facilitation
Quality Club!
In October, we launched our new online series ‘Quality Club’.
Every Friday lunchtime over 6 weeks we covered 6 Food Safety topics to a highly engaged audience. We thoroughly enjoyed delivering these sessions to our Foundation members, with valuable discussions taking place.
We look forward to bringing Quality Club to you again in 2022. See the schedule below for dates.
Quality Culture for Quality Managers Training Course
Our suite of training offerings includes a 2-day ‘Quality Culture in Quality Management Systems‘ course. This highly interactive course weaves together Quality culture and robust food safety systems and how together, these components can reduce the cost of quality, improve overall productivity, engage your workforce, retain staff for longer, and provide greater customer fulfillment & loyalty.
Suited to Quality Managers, Technical Managers, and aspiring Quality Managers wanting to make the step up in their careers, we have seen some excellent results from the course participants.
In 2022, we are also offering a 1-day ‘Quality Culture in Quality Management Systems‘ for Quality Advisors/Officers training course. See the schedule below for dates.
