New Web-based Service Helps Businesses Keep on Top of Food Safety Requirements

Food safety is a crucial issue for food businesses and getting it right can be the difference between success and failure. But keeping up with the latest developments can be a daunting task, especially for smaller businesses. High quality, up-to-date, authoritative information is what is needed and it is out there, but locating it can be a time consuming business.

Now, a new web-based service called FoodSafetyWatch is aiming to address this problem by providing access to a wide range of food safety-related news and information via a single web-site portal. The service is different in that it focuses on supplying reliable factual information in an accessible format, rather than on consultancy and advice.

Compiled by Food Safety Info, a small team of experienced information professionals, all of whom have previously worked in the well known Information Division at Leatherhead Food International, FoodSafetyWatch supplies news, feature articles, and carefully researched fact sheets on a wide range of topics from acrylamide to Salmonella and from hygienic design to aflatoxins. Detailed briefing notes, on emerging food safety issues and the latest research, are another feature of the site, designed to help businesses look ahead, anticipate new requirements and keep one step ahead of their competitors.

In the long term, FoodSafetyWatch is intended to become the focus of an on-line international community of food industry professionals and to be an important vehicle for the sharing of valuable information on food safety. Some of the content will be freely available to visitors, but payment of a modest membership fee will give access to all the content and resources on the site, including databases of food safety news and worldwide product recalls since January 2006, a fast growing collection of 'food safety hazard' fact-sheets and a forthcoming members forum. Members will also have preferential access to the other information services supplied by Food Safety Info and will be able to do everything from asking a simple question to commissioning a detailed literature search or a report on a specific topic.

The advantage of a web-based information service is that it can respond quickly to new developments, and adaptability will be a watchword of FoodSafetyWatch. The development of the site will be very much driven by its members in the future and will evolve to meet their needs. Having responsibility for food safety in a small food business can sometimes be lonely, but being part of an on-line community can make life a lot easier.

Click here to Visit FoodSafetyWatch.org