Equipment Investments for Enhanced Food Safety and Quality

With more than two decades of experience as a chef and culinary director, Jeremy Kittelson, the principal of Ricca Design Studios in Denver, leverages his extensive expertise in his current position within foodservice consulting. In this role, he guides operators in making well-informed choices concerning substantial investments in equipment, acknowledging the crucial role that foodservice equipment plays in their operations.

The long-term benefits of investing in specific types of equipment and features, rather than compromising on quality to save costs, become apparent when considering improvements in both food safety and quality. Kittelson emphasizes the importance of understanding these advantages in guiding operators through the complexities of equipment choices.

To enhance food safety in foodservice operations, Kittelson recommends the following types of equipment and technologies:

1. Blast chillers and rethermalizers: These rapidly bring food to a specific temperature. Rethermalizers expedite the process of bringing a product to the proper temperature for preparation or serving from deep freeze, while blast chillers ensure cooked products reach a safe holding temperature quickly, preventing bacterial growth. Some blast chillers even include defrost functions.

2. Combi ovens: The versatility of cooking with convection and steam aside, the programmable features of combi ovens contribute to food safety. The ability to use preset recipes guarantees that products are consistently cooked to the correct temperature.

3. Maintenance alerts and self-cleaning features: Many types of equipment, such as dishmachines and combi ovens, now feature control panels that notify users about the need for cleaning cycles or potential malfunctions. Regular maintenance ensures compliance with food safety standards.

4. Internet of Things (IoT): Blast chillers, combi ovens, and dishmachines equipped with IoT capabilities can connect to a central server or app via ethernet or Wi-Fi. This connectivity enables operators to monitor equipment performance, track temperatures, analyze time-of-use data, manage cleaning cycles, and maintain HACCP logs. It ensures equipment operates optimally and meets required standards.

5. Robotics and automation: While robotics and automation may seem futuristic, they are already available, with kiosks for making smoothies, robotic arms frying tortilla chips, and burger assembly machines. Apart from enhancing operational efficiency and productivity, automation reduces human touch, thereby contributing to food safety.

While investing in advanced equipment and features significantly improves food safety protocols, Kittelson underscores the continued importance of staff training. In addition to food safety classes and handwashing protocols, thorough training on utilizing equipment features and technology, along with proper maintenance, remains crucial. Neglect or user error increases the risk of foodborne illness in any foodservice operation.