Glossary Term: Food Safety

Definition: Continental cold chain development initiative under the African Union’s agricultural transformation agenda. Aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food security through cold chain infrastructure development across Africa. Why It Matters: Continental cold chain development creates opportunities for South African cold chain expertise, equipment, and services across Africa. AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) implementation will increase intra-African trade…

Graph showing bacterial population growth over time under favorable conditions. Four phases: lag, log (exponential growth), stationary, death.

Two-step process for food contact surfaces and equipment. Cleaning removes visible soil; sanitation reduces microorganisms to safe levels.

Any interruption in temperature-controlled conditions from production to consumption, potentially compromising product safety or quality.

Definition: The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of temperature data throughout the cold chain. Encompasses data collection, transmission, storage, and protection from manipulation or loss. Why It Matters: Data integrity is essential for regulatory compliance (GDP) and legal defensibility. Temperature records may be required as evidence in product liability cases. Regulators increasingly focus on data integrity in audits. ALCOA+ Principles:– Attributable:…

Transfer of harmful bacteria, allergens, or foreign material from one product/surface to another.

Disease transmitted through consumption of contaminated food. Common pathogens include Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter.

Definition: Global Food Safety Initiative. An industry-driven initiative providing benchmarking for food safety standards, enabling mutual recognition between certified schemes and reducing audit duplication in global supply chains. Why It Matters: Major global and South African retailers require GFSI-recognized certification from supply chain partners. GFSI certification demonstrates internationally accepted food safety credentials. Essential for cold chain operators serving major retail…

Procedures and practices to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination in food handling, storage, and transport.

Microorganism (bacteria, virus, parasite) that can cause disease. Temperature control is primary method of controlling pathogenic bacteria in cold chain.