DOUGH HANDLING Market Insight
Food 10% F
ood recalls rose by 10% in 2024, with 127 cases reported — one of the highest on record — according to data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The increase reflects advancements in
detection technology and
reporting systems, but also underscores the growing complexity of food production and supply chains. The FSA’s “Allergy and Food Alert” system identifies the most common causes of recalls as: Undeclared Allergens (53 cases): Labelling omissions due to recipe changes or cross- contamination. Physical Contamination (25 cases): Foreign materials such as metal or glass entering food during processing. Pathogen Contamination (23 cases): Bacterial contamination from inadequate hygiene or storage. Incorrect Use-By Dates (9 cases): Errors in labelling or coding.
Additional issues include cross- contamination, supply chain counterfeits, and defective packaging.
Industry insights on rising recalls OAL, a provider of food automation solutions, convened experts to explore the drivers behind the increase. Jake Norman, Managing Director at OAL, explains: “The rise in recalls highlights
14 Kennedy’s Bakery Production December/January 2024/25
Recalls Rise by in 2024
Data from the Food Standards Agency
highlights the scale of the issue, with heightened vigilance revealing challenges in ensuring food safety. Industry Experts highlight the challenges and solutions.
both improved detection capabilities and the challenges of managing increasingly complex supply chains. Manual processes and disconnected systems leave gaps where errors can occur.” “The financial impact of a recall extends
far beyond fines. Costs related to production, recovery, and disposal are significant, making it essential for manufacturers to take a proactive approach.”
Solutions to reduce recall risks OAL is helping several bakeries address these challenges through automation and integration. Their solutions focus on reducing human error, improving traceability, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
“By automating critical processes like label
and date code verification, we help businesses eliminate manual errors and achieve greater efficiency,” says Faye Louch. “Our systems also
provide real-time updates, ensuring all factory systems operate from a single source of truth.” Leena Malde, Executive Chair of Wealmoor,
shares her experience with OAL’s systems “The introduction of automated systems from OAL has completely changed our operations. Since its installation, we’ve been able to streamline our processes and prevent errors before they caused further issues, protecting our reputation, enhancing trust and confidence. We’ve also seen the significant opportunity in increasing efficiency and operational effectiveness.”
Robotics: A new era in precision and safety The food manufacturing industry has started embracing robotics to improve current manual processes and address challenges such as accuracy, safety, and traceability. Leading this change, OAL has introduced advanced robotic systems for dough mixing and powder weighing, transforming bakery operations.
One of the biggest advantages of robotics in food production is ingredient traceability. Robotic systems meticulously log every step, creating a detailed record for compliance verification and issue resolution. This
bakeryproduction.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
