Technology Can Help Make Maintaining Temperatures Easier

Waterproof exteriors serve as pseudo force field to the temperature probe while antimicrobial agents added to the instrument’s plastic coating support bacteria breakdown—stopping their reproduction, therefore inhibiting growth, and ultimately reducing the risk of spreading harmful microorganisms.

These two coating advances provide additional peace of mind in knowing the instruments and probes themselves are contributing to the fight against harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.

All About Automation

What comes next in the life of temperature monitoring? The answer is automation—actually, automation is already here, and it’s changing the game for the food service industry.

The introduction of cloud computing, Wi-Fi-enabled, and software components help automate many tasks that are currently performed manually.

Instead of relying on staff members to check temperatures at assigned timeframes, smarter systems that continuously monitor and record temperatures—and those that capture records digitally instead of in paper logs—bolster consistency and accuracy.

Records can be pulled in real time via computer or even smartphone from a user-friendly dashboard. Historical records can also be pulled from a secure digital archive.

In recent years, temperature monitoring has relied largely on people. As with any manual task, human error can affect data consistency, quality, and accuracy of that work, and in the case of monitoring, result in inadequate or unsafe conditions.

With wireless and paperless temperature monitoring solutions, however, automation drastically reduces the chances for human error to occur. In addition to more accurate records, an automated system allows for constant monitoring, expectations that are far too time-consuming and costly to expect of a manual monitor.

Facilities are alerted to the slightest fluctuation in temperature, an essential component to reducing the risk of compromised products and spoilage. Digitally archived reports are easy to reference and track over time. They also create an audit trail should any regulatory questions arise.

Facility managers can find peace of mind knowing temperatures are safely and accurately aligned with regulatory standards, and executives can focus their attention on other areas of the business, like sales, innovation, and manufacturing.

Food safety is highly dependent upon safe temperatures, which is why it’s crucial to ensure temperature monitoring from the supply chain to the customer is accurate and consistent. As temperature monitoring technology diversifies and becomes more accessible—and more widely utilized—across the industry, foodborne illnesses and regulatory concerns can be reduced drastically. But food service providers must be sure they are partnering with credible resources that understand the multidisciplinary approach required to achieving safety standards and compliance requirements.

Dr. Wilcock serves as the general manager for Comark, part of the Fluke Corp., overseeing expansion, structural change, and proposition development. Reach him at + 44 (0) 207 942 0712.