Spreadsheets, SharePoint, an overall lack of modernisation, and more have all caused food & beverage professionals to lose sleep. Rest easy with this resource.
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Perhaps it’s the concept of a supply chain itself. The term is arguably too simple for a complex global network that requires mass quantities of data to run smoothly. But semantics was just one of the issues discussed during a lively panel discussion during Food Integrity Global. Together with New Food Magazine, we offered F&B industry leaders a unique opportunity to openly discuss their top challenges and hurdles. Fortunately, they took full advantage, launching discussions that revealed the concerns causing them to lose sleep as they strive to ensure greater visibility and verifiability. This report summarizes their dialogue on transparency in supply chains.
Waiting for the next food safety crisis
Many F&B businesses find themselves reacting to food safety problems, rather than proactively preventing them. Between trying to manage the “sea of data” associated with the industry and struggling to communicate more effectively with all their various stakeholders, even seasoned professionals find themselves scrambling for information when something goes wrong.
The consensus is that the industry needs to shift more toward preventative measures, including robust risk assessments, proactive supply chain mapping, and early warning systems. Although the “wait-and-see” mentality remains prevalent in F&B, it’s also responsible for a lot of stressful scenarios and sleepless nights.
“In an increasingly complex food industry, transparency is no longer optional—it is essential for maintaining consumer trust, regulatory compliance, and sustainability.”
Prepare to meet F&B challenges directly
In addition to sharing insights from industry peers, this report also offers steps to address today’s transparency issues, including how to:
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Maintain real-time access to standardised supply chain data
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Design a flexible approach that accounts for ever-evolving regulations and needs
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Break down barriers, both internal and external, that inhibit communication
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Translate data into actionable analyses and consistent interpretations for better decision-making
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Balance increasing ESG pressures with consumer expectations around ethical sourcing, front-of-pack (FOP) labeling, and more
A SNEAK PREVIEW
Data Management:
DEALING WITH THE SEA OF DATA
The roundtable discussion extensively explored the multifaceted challenges of data management within the food industry. These challenges permeate various aspects of ensuring food transparency and supply chain integrity.
One prominent theme is the reliance on outdated systems. Speakers consistently point to the use of spreadsheets as a significant obstacle to effective data management. One speaker noted that these spreadsheets often contain crucial information, but their static nature and susceptibility to errors makes them inadequate for managing the dynamic nature of modern supply chains. This over-reliance on manual data entry and tracking leads to inefficiencies and increases the risk of inaccuracies, hindering efforts to achieve a comprehensive and real-time view of supply chain operations.
Another key challenge is the lack of standardisation and interoperability. Speakers highlighted the overwhelming volume of data generated from various sources, each with its own format and requirements. This lack of uniformity creates significant difficulties in aggregating and analysing data efficiently.
One of our panellists pointed out that many companies are forced to juggle multiple software platforms due to this lack of standardisation, further exacerbating the complexity of data management. The panel emphasised the need for industry-wide collaboration to establish common data standards and promote interoperability between different systems, which would facilitate data sharing, reduce redundancy, and streamline information flow throughout the supply chain.
Furthermore, the discussion revealed that even when companies adopt digitalisation, there are challenges in ensuring the quality and accuracy of data input. One observation was that even with digitised systems, the lack of understanding among employees regarding data categorisation and input protocols can undermine the integrity of the data collected. It requires buy in from the stakeholders and effective implementation and training.
And much of this starts with a lack of understanding of how to use data. There is a crucial need for comprehensive training programs to ensure all stakeholders understand the importance of accurate data entry and the impact it has on overall transparency and risk management.
“Over-reliance on manual data entry and tracking
leads to inefficiencies and increases the risk
of inaccuracies, hindering efforts to achieve a
comprehensive and real-time view of supply
chain operations.”
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