Russell Associates

Restaurants await the Conference for Food Protection to set a new edition of 2013 FDA guidelines, but that is not the only topic that will be on the table.  If you’d like to learn more about what The National Restaurant Association will be debating at the upcoming Conference for Food Protection, follow the link below:

http://www.restaurant.org/nra_news_blog/2012/01/nra-gets-ready-for-food-safety-code-update.cfm

Every industry has guidelines and standards. Russell Associates recently introduced software that makes those guidelines and standards easier to handle. inspectiTRAC™ can automate all types of food processor observations, inspections, and audits. Visit www.inspectitrac.com to learn more!

Russell Associates displayed at the Wisconsin Safety and Health Conference & Expo recently! We maintained a focus on bringing technology into the training and inspections process. There was overwhelming interest in Russell Associates newest product: inspectiTRAC!

Have you thought about the many paths food takes before it hits your table?  Imagine having the job of a food safety auditor and the amount of pressure they shoulder.  I had never really thought about it until reading this article.  Gives you something to chew on:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/01/food-safety-auditors-on-patrol/

Food safety auditing is critical and its importance is growing rapidly.  In the food industry you can’t afford to be doing inspections the “old” way.  It’s time to take a fresh look at this old problem with inspectiTRAC.

This article raises several thought provoking questions including food safety considerations. When you consider the materials used in conventional data collection, i.e., clipboards, paper, and pencils, the pros would outweigh the cons, considering the ability to clean and sanitize a ruggedized tablet. Russell Associates recommends using the Motion F5V Tablet (http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_f5.asp) with its inspectiTRAC^TM inspection application- (www.inspectiTRAC.com)   

http://talk.gaelquality.com/blog-0/bid/130978/The-Use-of-iPads-in-Food-Production-Areas?goback=%2Egde_775057

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As we all know, accidents happen and are costly.  In 2003, the Bureau of Labor (BLS) reported a whopping 4.4 million in nonfatal injuries. The company you work for has a moral obligation to employee safety. 

http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Pr-Sa/Safety-in-the-Workplace.html

Companies have a responsibility to their employees to promote a safe environment. That begins with inspections and audits in every operation and in all industries.  Russell Associates has developed inspectiTRAC, state-of-the-art software that expedites corrective actions, eliminates errors and saves time and money.  And, it’s customizable to meet the specific needs of a wide range of businesses and industries.

The best plans take time and money!  The Food and Drug Administration continues its slow and steady rollout of FSMA that will be laid out over the next five years. The FDA is planning to issue more than 50 new rules, add inspectors and ramp up oversight efforts to the tune of $1.4 billion. These new rules and regulations are to ensure the healthy and safety of…YOU and your family.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111226/MONEY/712269971/1167 

Our new inspection software can make regulations a little easier to manage, inspectiTRAC™ can automate all types of food processor observations, inspections, and audits.  One major food company calculated a potential labor savings of 90% compared to manual, paper-based inspections and audits, with a payback of three to six months. 

We’ve all thought, at one point or another, that we could improve our auditing processes.  I came across an interesting article that will help you with 6 steps to an effective continuous audit process.

http://www.theiia.org/intAuditor/itaudit/archives/2008/february/six-steps-to-an-effective-continuous-audit-process/

inspectiTRAC is the tool to make the process more efficient! The tablet-based technology will help expedite corrective actions, eliminate errors and save time and money. 

This article reinforces what I believe makes an employee remarkable. These people have a positive impact in their companies, their families, and in the social circles they frequent. Jerry Van Oort

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-8-qualities-of-remarkable-employees.html

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Cost of Recall

How much does a recall cost?  How many dollars would it take to get the product off retail shelves?  What’s the cost of the recalled product?  What would your company face in fines and lawsuits?  These are a few of the concerns that are raised by manufacturers.  Let alone the cost of reduced sales because of the bad publicity.

What is your company doing to reduce the chance of a recall of one of your products?  Are you sure that all the inspections, audits and observations are occurring when they are supposed to?  Are they all being properly recorded, documented with the files being maintained so you’re in compliance with all of the regulations?

inspectiTRC(tm) is a unique new tool to help the food and manufacturing industry save loads of time and money conducting the inspections processes that need to be done to keep food safe.

For more information, visit:  www.inspectitrac.com. 

Are you concerned about the safety of food?  With the recent closing of over 250 USSA offices, it is very important that companies continue to improve internal processes and vigilance of their food safety and inspection processes.

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2012/01/11/198650.htm

Want to reduce labor and paper cost? Take the first step by checking out inspectiTRAC. inspectiTRAC can help you be more efficient, reducing labor and paper costs, and more effective, by improving data accuracy.