Challenges in Food & Beverages supply Chain

The global food supply chain is one of the most complicated yet critical logistical programmed that our civilization requires to be sustainable. While we may believe that the food supply chain is highly tuned and impervious to corruption, it is always evolving and facing numerous problems. Our ability to comprehend the particular barriers and come up with efficient solutions may be the only way to maintain our food supply fresh and safe to consume as technology improves and the demand for safe and fresh food grows.

Cumulative Requirement for Food Shipping Observation

There was a time when shipment tracking was considered a luxury item for which only a small percentage of consumers would pay. Those were the days, and they were gone in a flash. Food shippers and receiving clients today want traceability that not only complies with ever-increasing food safety standards, but also satisfies the need to give their customers peace of mind. According to multiple consumer organizations, the general public is becoming more aware of the dangers of food contamination across the food supply chain.

Most food-borne illnesses begin or spread within the food supply chain, according to OSHA and many food safety experts. The requirement for retailers and suppliers to document the who, what, where, and when of every component of the food supply chain, not only for consumer safety and brand protection, but also for legal reasons, has sparked an increase in the need for more precise traceability requirements.

Lack of Communication Between Food Supply Chain Partners

While recent technological advancements have enhanced communication channels and opportunities, there are still gaps in the food supply chain. Throughout the supply chain, there are a variety of players. There are times when things slide through the gaps since there are so many people, firms, and each with their own transportation and communication means. In fact, there are several occasions where separate persons in the same commodity’s supply chain never contact. This can result in a variety of issues, including product delays, bacterial development, food illness, and spoiling. Improving the communication mechanism within the food supply chain should be a priority in order to prevent these potentially harmful concerns.

The Potential of Food Fraudulent

When most people think of food fraud, they think of one two-word phrase: organized crime. To be honest, the Corleone Olive Oil Company, as shown in The Godfather, is more realistic than many people assume. There have been numerous reports of organizations producing and delivering counterfeit food product development, as well as using food shipping to convey other illegal goods.

While this is mostly a European concern, it does have an impact on the worldwide food supply chain. In reality, the US FDA has enlarged its ‘Food Defense’ section, which focuses on investigating food fraud with importers and within the continental US. As the risk of food fraud rises, so does regulation, which tends to add to the supply chain’s complexity.

Lack of Honesty and Transparency

In logistics, honesty and transparency are not assets. Since its origin, the shipping industry has struggled with these difficulties. When suppressing facts or covering up mistakes results in food poisoning and the possibility of death, it must be stopped.

Several players in the food supply chain have activated continuous communication logs, which chronicle a variety of crucial aspects of food safety, such as shipping container locations, inside temperature, humidity readings, and frequent food inspection checkpoints. Photographs and video recording are sometimes utilized to offer proof of inspections and reporting.

Developing Regulations

It’s a common misconception that supply chain restrictions are put in place to safeguard people. However, they can sometimes make problems worse. We’ve already explored how shipping delays in the food supply chain can have a big influence on product freshness and safety. The ELD Mandate is a recent rule enacted in the United States.

This law mandates that carriers install an electronic logging device to track the driver’s daily service hours. While many businesses adhere to federal driving safety regulations, the ELD mandate is forcing others to drastically reduce their driver hours. Smaller carriers are being forced to close due to the high expense of procuring, installing, and operating ELD systems.

The ELD mandate has resulted in a large increase in shipping charges, fewer available drivers, and, as a result, a delay in carrying commodities such as fresh and perishable groceries. While the present battles over the ELD mandate are expected to be resolved soon, rising regulations will continue to have a negative influence on the food supply chain.

 Summary

While the constraints outlined above appear formidable, they also present an opportunity to solve problems rather than merely covering them up with tape. Professional shippers and carriers – growers, manufacturers, and suppliers collaborating to tackle food supply chain difficulties will achieve their objectives primarily via open communication and openness.