Food safety tips you need to know
Food safety is a crucial issue not only for individuals, but also for companies, which play a significant role in ensuring access to the well-being and quality of life of employees, for example. Therefore, in this article, we will explore the concept of food safety, the different types and strategies to promote it within the corporate environment.
What is food security?:
Food security refers to the guaranteed access, on a regular and permanent basis, to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet an innate need for an active and healthy life. This concept encompasses several aspects, for example:
Food availability:
This factor refers to the sufficient quantity of food consistently available. This can be influenced by agricultural production, food imports, storage infrastructure and transport capacity. Click Here for Food Safety course
Access to food:
This refers to the economic and physical resources necessary for people to be able to obtain food. This involves, for example, financial accessibility (being able to buy food) and physical accessibility (being able to reach places where food is available).
Food utilization:
This factor involves the nutrition and safety of the food that is consumed. In other words, adequate utilization depends on the quality of the food, the diversity of the diet and the nutritional knowledge of the people.
Stability in the food supply:
This type of stability is related to the resilience of food systems to crises such as natural disasters, conflicts and economic changes. In other words, this factor questions whether people have access to food consistently, without seasonal or other interruptions.
In this context, the lack of food security can lead to hunger, malnutrition and a series of health problems, in addition to social and economic consequences. Therefore, it is a central concern for society and governments around the world, but it can also be addressed in companies.
What are the levels of food security?
According to the Ministry of Health, the Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale classifies food security into four categories:
Food security:
occurs when individuals have regular and permanent access to quality food in sufficient quantity.
Mild food insecurity:
refers to scenarios where there is a compromise in the quality of food, even maintaining the quantity perceived as adequate.
Moderate food insecurity:
occurs when there are changes in the usual eating patterns among adults, accompanied by a restriction in the quantity of food.
Severe food insecurity:
Characterized by the disruption of the usual eating pattern, with compromise in the quality and reduction in the quantity of food for all family members, including children living in this household, and may include experiences of hunger.
Thus, we see that food insecurity is not limited to just the lack of food on the table, but also to the type of food available. This situation becomes even clearer when social changes affect eating habits, with social vulnerability being a risk factor for unhealthy eating.
What are the types of food security?
Food security is a multifaceted concept that ensures that all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for a healthy and active life. There are three main categories of food security that are essential to understanding how different factors contribute to achieving this goal. Check them out!
Affordable food security
Affordable food security refers to the ability of people to obtain food in adequate quantity and quality, both physically and economically. This means that food must be available in accessible places and that people must have sufficient financial resources to purchase it.
Physical access:
Food distribution must be fair and efficient, ensuring that everyone, regardless of geographic location, can reach food sales or distribution points.
Economic access:
The purchasing power of the population is crucial. Thus, social support programs, pricing policies and household income directly influence people’s ability to acquire food.
Available food security:
Available food security refers to the quantity of food that is physically available for consumption.
Agricultural production: local production capacity is essential to ensure a continuous supply of food. Agricultural technologies, sustainable cultivation practices and policies to support agriculture influence availability.
Distribution and logistics: efficient transport and storage infrastructure is essential to ensure that produced food reaches consumers without significant loss of quality or quantity.
Supply stability: ensuring that there are no seasonal fluctuations or disruptions in the food supply is crucial. This includes building food reserves and managing food crises.
Usable food security:
Usable food security involves people’s knowledge and ability to make appropriate use of available food, ensuring that it is consumed in a healthy and nutritious way.
Nutritional knowledge:
Nutritional education is vital so that people know how to combine and prepare foods to achieve a balanced diet.
Preparation and storage practices: Appropriate food preparation and storage techniques are necessary to avoid contamination and nutritional loss, ensuring that the food consumed is safe and healthy.
Dietary diversity: Promoting diversity in the diet is important so that all necessary nutrients are consumed, contributing to a complete and healthy diet.
Each of these food security categories addresses different aspects of ensuring access to adequate and healthy food. Together, they form the basis of a comprehensive approach to combating hunger and promoting nutrition in all communities. click here for more blogs
Increase productivity:
A proper and regular diet provides the energy employees need to perform their duties efficiently. A lack of food security can lead to malnutrition, negatively affecting concentration, problem-solving ability and work efficiency. Therefore, investing in food security contributes to a more productive work environment.
Reduce absenteeism and turnover:
Employees who have their dietary needs met tend to be more satisfied and committed to the company. This reduces the frequency of absences from work and staff turnover, saving costs related to hiring and training new employees.
Improve the organizational climate:
Another important point concerns the direct connection between employee well-being and the organizational climate. That is, investing in food safety shows that the company cares about its employees, which improves morale and team spirit. A positive work environment can increase job satisfaction and employee engagement.
Increase the company’s attractiveness:
Companies that promote food safety and employee well-being are more attractive to potential employees. This can help attract and retain talent, giving the company a competitive advantage in the job market.
Fulfill social responsibilities:
Ensuring food security is a way of fulfilling social responsibility, an ethical obligation that contributes to reducing hunger and food insecurity. Socially responsible companies tend to gain the trust and loyalty of customers and investors.
Promote sustainability:
Investing in food security can include sustainable practices such as sourcing food from local producers and promoting healthy eating habits. This not only benefits employees, but also supports corporate sustainability.
