TSQA – The Guardian of Safety and Quality at Red Dragon Farms | In a world where food quality directly impacts health and well-being, the responsibility of businesses in the food and beverage industry is immense.
RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. is a fully integrated agri-food enterprise in Central Luzon, Philippines that owns and operates several poultry and swine farms and industrial facilities such as feed mill, slaughterhouse, meat-cutting and meat processing plants, a chain of meat shops (under the brand name of Fresh Options Meatshop), and restaurants. Its mission to serve customers well goes beyond offering high-quality meats. It is about delivering a promise of excellence and safety.
Central to this commitment is the meticulous work of its Technical Services and Quality Assurance (TSQA) Department, the backbone of the company’s core to uphold safe, clean, and unparalleled quality across all products.
What Is Food Safety and Why It Is a Continuing Challenge
Understanding the complexities of food safety is crucial for maintaining RDF’s industry-leading standards.
Food safety includes all strategies and processes employed to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure food products are safe for consumption.
This is particularly challenging in the meat industry due to the susceptibility of meats to microbial contamination and spoilage. Additionally, the global trade in food products requires adherence to a complex array of international, national, and regional regulations that are frequently updated.
As consumer expectations evolve, so do RDF’s efforts to meet and exceed them. After all, today’s consumers are becoming increasingly well-informed about the food they eat. When it comes to buying meats, factors such as freshness, origin, and especially safety are paramount.
Food safety certifications play a crucial role in influencing consumer decisions. Certifications like FSSC 22000 show consumers that the meat they buy has been produced in compliance with internationally recognized food safety management standards.
These certifications are not just logos on packaging—they represent a commitment to ongoing compliance and safety that involves regular audits and continuous improvement. By ensuring these standards are met, the TSQA team helps build consumer trust and loyalty, setting itself apart in a competitive market.
RELATED: RDF is Food Safety System Certified Anew
The Role of the TSQA Department in Ensuring Meat Safety and Quality
RDF prioritizes expertise and specialized education within its TSQA Department, with 82% of the team holding college degrees, and 40% specifically in Food Technology, highlighting a strong focus on food safety and quality assurance. This educational investment in the workforce is complemented by a diverse range of expertise from various related fields, ensuring a comprehensive approach to quality control and operational excellence.
As its mandate, TSQA oversees every aspect of production from farm to store:
- Live Operations: The team focuses on the quality and safety of the animal feed used at the feed mill, supported by comprehensive health monitoring and diagnostics at the farm level conducted by Biolab, RDF’s in-house testing laboratory.
- Central Depot Operations: Here, the journey from slaughter to packaging is managed precisely. The department ensures all staff, supplies, and processes comply with safety standards, using sensory evaluations and rigorous testing to maintain product consistency and quality.
Retail Operations: At the retail level, TSQA guarantees that all products of Fresh Options meet established food safety standards and that staff adhere to strict hygiene practices through regular training and audits. The department upholds rigorous food safety, hygiene, and sanitation practices, including scientific handling, preparation, and storage methods to prevent illnesses and manage health hazards.
- Restaurant Operations: TSQA implements a comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to control physical, biological, and chemical risks throughout the supply chain, supported by the FSSC 22000 certification which governs food safety risks and compliance with quality requirements from raw materials to finished products. All staff undergo ServSafe training, accredited by the American National Standards, ensuring adherence to the latest food safety protocols.
Even with the most stringent protocols in place, the company remains vigilant and responsive to the needs of its customers. Quality audits are also integral to maintaining high standards of food safety and quality. These audits are conducted weekly and cover all aspects of the operation—from the feed mill and slaughterhouse to processing plants, and retail stores.
Each audit is carefully planned and executed to assess compliance with both internal standards and external regulatory requirements. The scope includes everything from biosecurity measures to ensure no cross-contamination occurs, to operational procedures that guarantee consistent product quality. Audit results are used not only to confirm compliance but also to identify opportunities for improvement, making sure that TSQA’s commitment to quality is proactive and responsive to the latest industry developments and challenges.
These practices, combined with a mission to set high standards and provide reliable quality assessments, ensure that all products of Fresh Options meet the highest standards for safety and quality, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to excellence.
Moreover, the TSQA Department has established a robust process for handling complaints that begins with a thorough documentation of the complaint details, followed by a systematic investigation to identify the root cause. This involves reviewing CCTV footage, conducting interviews with relevant personnel, or reexamining production records.
Once the cause is identified, corrective actions are formulated and implemented to prevent recurrence. Communication with the customer is maintained throughout the process to assure that they are satisfied with the resolution. This approach not only resolves individual issues but also contributes to the overall quality assurance strategy, helping to prevent future complaints and enhance customer satisfaction.
Upholding the Highest Standards
As the guardian of quality and safety, the TSQA Department is more than just a functional unit within RDF. It is the very foundation of the company’s commitment to excellence. Through its strategies, TSQA ensures that every piece of meat processed and sold surpasses the rigorous standards expected by customers and regulatory bodies alike.
The effectiveness of the TSQA Department is not limited to maintaining standards; it extends to enhancing the trust and loyalty of customers. By integrating advanced safety protocols, conducting thorough quality audits, and addressing customer feedback effectively, TSQA plays a crucial role in driving continuous improvement throughout the company. This relentless pursuit of excellence sets RDF apart in the competitive landscape of the meat industry, making it a leader in food safety and customer satisfaction.
Through its unwavering dedication to quality, TSQA not only upholds RDF’s reputation as a top-tier provider of safe, high-quality meats but also reinforces its promise to customers that they are receiving the best products available. This commitment to excellence is encapsulated in the company’s Pledge of Quality, emphasizing quality at every stage of operation.
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