As a supply chain innovator, Zebra Technologies manufactures high-tech products that help businesses manage and monitor their supply chain. Some of their products include technology related to food quality monitoring and supply chain tracking. They recently conducted an extensive survey and study about consumer food safety confidence. This lengthy study brings to the forefront many issues ServSafe food managers should pay attention to, so let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
ServSafe Food Managers and Consumer Food Safety Concerns
In conducting this study, Zebra surveyed 4,957 consumers and 462 food and beverage firms worldwide. While each region had its share of diverse concerns, the results of those surveyed in the U.S. and the rest of North America shed some light on how our customers view food safety. Some consumer food safety stats that should concern ServSafe food managers include:
- 60% would never return to a business where they consumed tainted product
- More than 80% believe all businesses have an ethical responsibility to enforce strict safety standards
- Approximately 70% feel it’s important to know how their food is handled and prepared
- 69% would like to know how their food is sourced
As you can see from the first two statistics, consumers believe in strong food safety standards and trust will be easily lost, even after just one incident. That’s why it’s vital that your food business has clearly outlined safety standards and there are no training gaps when it comes to food safety.
It may come as a surprise that more restaurant-goers feel the need to know where their food comes from and how it’s handled. It’s no longer enough just to trust that restaurants have strict food handling procedures.
To respond to consumers who are looking to know every detail of food production, ServSafe food managers should be prepared to answer questions as to the source of their ingredients, especially potentially vulnerable items such as seafood. Customers will eat much more confidently if their concerns about sourcing and handling can be quickly addressed.
On a final note, consumers were asked what they perceived to be the biggest issues when it comes to food safety. The top answers include:
- Kitchen staff hygiene
- Foodborne illness outbreaks
- Contaminated product
- Consuming recalled ingredients
As you can see, three out of four issues all concern the state of product before it reaches your facility. Do you feel it’s important to know where your ingredients come from?
