Food For Thought: Reduce Stock Waste with Temperature Monitoring

20% of all manufacturing in the UK is accounted for by food & drink production.

Therefore, it is crucial that businesses become more efficient in order to reduce operating costs and cut back on the amount of carbon they release. In turn, this enables them to improve profitability, productivity and sustainability by optimising stock. A simple way for our food manufacturers to make this happen would be to minimise the amount of stock that goes to waste. Reducing stock wastage allows both resources and energy to be utilised more efficiently, allowing profits to be maximised. Plus, you also minimise the risk of potential fines and bad PR in cases of non-compliance with temperature-sensitive products. 

One often overlooked method to ensure minimal stock wastage and regulatory compliance is through installing remote temperature monitoring systems. The use of precise, data-led sensors gives businesses crucial insights into the condition and quality of their stock, allowing them to become proactive in preventing spoilage, whilst promoting integrity in produce and competing for high standards against competition.  

Find ease in efficiency and embrace the benefits of temperature monitoring to stay ahead of the market whilst minimising wastage across your operations! 

The cost of stock waste due to temperature fluctuations 

Think it’s a minor issue? Incorrect.  

Just this year, industry experts predicted that food wastage is estimated to be as high as 4.8 MILLION TONNES. Without consistent data to provide insights into the conditions of our food products, various errors can occur based on the tiny miscalculations, inaccuracies, or dishonesty.  

By utilising the technology of IoT systems, they gain detailed, real-time data from temperature monitoring systems enabling them to track and monitor those tiny changes affecting their products - from import and production to storage. This level of data not only helps prevent the waste of temperature-sensitive products, but also provides valuable analytics to improve inventory management and prevent any inefficiencies across operations. 

By leveraging the potential of temperature monitoring, we can reap the benefits that come with minimal waste, lower recalls, and optimised cashflow from reducing imports. In addition, ensuring high quality of these products will ultimately enhance customer satisfaction, strengthen brand reputation, and drive potential growth during times of economic uncertainty, as we are all currently facing. 

The impact of temperature on different types of stock 

Small amounts of fluctuations in product can have significant impacts on whether a food item can be sold, and can implicate the shelf life of certain products. The total cost of food items that have perished due to temperature changes are huge over long periods, which affects your profit margins and total wastage levels. 

When stock is exposed to inadequate temperatures, it can often spoil or oxidise produce, encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria. This increases the chance of potential complaints, recalls and in the worst of cases – incur legal consequences. Moreover, wasted stock means wasted resources, including equipment use, imports, energy, and labour. 

Food manufacturers should consider factors such as the average value of their wasted stock, the frequency of temperature-related wastages, disposal costs, and any associated penalties or fines. By calculating these costs, the need for a quick solution at a minimal price makes common sense for you to invest in as soon as possible. 

The average cost of these wasted products will produce a figure that ultimately could do with being minimised for us manufacturers, it’s as simple as that.

Ensuring your final products live to see shelves is one of the best ways to ensure this when your sole money-maker is a temperature-sensitive food product. 

Regulatory and compliance of product temperatures 

Different types of stock will vary in which temperatures keeps these products safe for consumption. Understanding the specific impact of temperature fluctuations for your various types of stock will further the need and potential from implementing your own effective monitoring system. 

Perishable food items are highly susceptible to the effects of temperature fluctuations, and all vary in what conditions could be classed as non-compliant against UK food standards. Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats are all subject to a specific regulatory storage temperature to prevent spoilage, whilst maintaining optimal freshness. Failure to meet these conditions could result in deterioration, contamination, and potential health risks. 

Regulation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland require all food products to be stored lower than 8C degrees, though 5C is the optimal condition for freshness and quality. If this is found to have not been met, then a variety of consequences can follow. Unlimited fines can be imposed on your business, with the potential for further sanctions, such as custody of the site, or legal action. 

Monitoring temperatures at regular intervals are to be taken to ensure stock is compliant against regulatory standards throughout your production. Dependent on the method, this can be inaccurate for a variety of reasons. Not only can miscalculations be made, but miscalculation, ignorance and dishonesty could occur in your reports, which could affect your compliance. 

Though fridges and freezers are both set internally to reach designated temperatures, errors can occur such as a faulty piece of equipment - a thermometer for example. When doors are frequently left open, then not only is stock put at risk, but internal temperature monitors can be broken, displaying and cooling to the incorrect temperatures, putting your stock and profits at risk. Using remote temperature monitoring systems will add an independent variable in ensuring compliant conditions for your stock, minimising any potential wastage, maintenance or downtime across your operations. 

Using IoT systems to ensure you’re compliant 

Temperature monitoring sensors have come a long way in recent years, thanks to rapid advancements within technology. These systems provide manufacturers with real-time data and insights into temperature patterns, enabling you to take proactive measures to prevent stock waste and excessive energy consumption whilst ensuring high quality produce. 

There are various types of temperature monitoring systems available, ranging from simple temperature loggers to sophisticated IoT wireless sensors that can monitor between –20 to 60 degrees celsius. These systems can be integrated into your existing infrastructure or implemented as standalone solutions, such as the T-Series temperature sensor, that doesn’t require hard wiring. 

These compact monitoring devices take precise readings and transmit the recorded data at regular intervals, giving you a deep insight into ongoing patterns and vulnerabilities. The data works against assigned thresholds, which are customisable dependent on what products you need to monitor, and alerts you when temperatures exceed their minimum standards, providing a comprehensive solution against all different types of stock. 

These sensors also utilise wireless, low-energy data transmitting to continuously monitor your temperatures, which is then converted to charts and visual data through an online dashboard. By incorporating these devices, you can continually track temperature conditions across multiple locations and receive real-time alerts when thresholds are breached. This enables proactive actions to be taken, avoiding disaster scenarios. 

Best practices for monitoring your stock 

Implementing a temperature monitoring system in your business requires a degree of planning and execution to ensure its effectiveness across your operations. Here are some key steps to consider: 

1. Identify temperature-sensitive areas:

Conduct a thorough assessment of your business operations to identify areas where temperature monitoring is critical. This may include storage facilities, refrigeration units and production areas. 

2. Determine temperature requirements:

Understand the individual temperature requirements of different types of stock within your business. 

3. Select the appropriate method:

Choose the temperature monitoring solution that best suits your business needs, considering temperature ranges, ease of installation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. 

4. Install and calibrate monitoring devices:

Proper installation and calibration of monitoring devices are crucial to ensure accurate temperature readings. 

5. Regular maintenance and calibration:

Regularly inspect, maintain, and calibrate temperature monitoring devices to ensure their continued accuracy and reliability. This includes routine battery replacement, sensor calibration, and software updates. 

By following these steps, you can effectively implement a temperature monitoring system that aligns with your specific needs and objectives, which will ultimately result in reduced stock waste and improved cashflow. 

Altogether, using temperature monitoring systems within your business will have a huge variety of benefits for your operations beyond reduced wastage. Turnover will improve, excessive imports will be reduced through optimised stock, and product quality will improve. Beyond this, recalls and complaints will drop significantly as stock is ensured to remain at the right temperature during the entirety of the production process.  

The likelihood of increased maintenance and downtime on temperature-based storage will be reduced, as errors will be identified quickly, meaning thermometers and cooling units will not be exposed to damaging conditions.  

 Unlock the secrets to preventing wasteful business practices and make progress towards improving your profitability today!