"The Significance of Understanding FIFO & FEFO in Food Industry"
- Surendar Rajkumar
- May 22, 2024
- 3 min read
The concepts of FIFO (First in First out) and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) play significant roles in the food industry, and their importance cannot be overstated. They are directly connected to food safety, which is a critical aspect of the industry. Any deviation from these principles can lead to cross contamination, food spoilage, and even food borne illnesses, all of which are potential health hazards for consumers.
So, what exactly are FIFO and FEFO?
FIFO, as the acronym suggests, stands for 'First in First out.' It is a principle that ensures the food items that are received first are the ones that are sold or used first. This practice helps in maintaining the freshness of the food and prevents unnecessary wastage.
On the other hand, FEFO stands for 'First Expiry First Out.' This principle implies that the food products that are close to their expiry dates should be sold or used first, regardless of when they were received. By adhering to the FEFO principle, food businesses can ensure that they are not selling expired or near-expired products, thereby maintaining the quality of the food they serve.
In conclusion, both FIFO and FEFO are critical for the smooth and efficient functioning of any business in the food industry. They help in managing the inventory in a manner that prioritises food safety and minimises waste, ultimately benefiting both the business and the consumers.
Speaking about FIFO and FEFO I remember a incident which i faced in my career which related to this topic
In an outlet while i was auditing I observed products with two different manufacturing date stored on same tray in the display which deviated from our standards, how i got doubt on the tray is when i checked the tray and label both mismatched the label said 0.5 kg but when i weighed it I came to know it was 1.2 kg
On the same outlet I also noticed packed RTE snacks were not arranged based on FEFO.
These two things were noted in the audit reports and same were informed to the store manager and same was resolved by providing training to the particular team on the same topic.
During a routine audit at one of our outlets, I noticed something amiss. There were products with two distinct manufacturing dates sharing the same display tray. This was a clear deviation from our standard operating procedures, which strictly adhere to the principles of First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expiry, First Out (FEFO).
Upon noticing the discrepancy, I decided to investigate further. The source of my initial doubt was a mismatch between the tray and its corresponding label. The label claimed the product weighed 0.5 kg, but my instincts told me otherwise. Trusting my gut, I weighed the product and the scale read 1.2 kg - a glaring inconsistency that raised further questions on the outlet's adherence to our standards.
In the same outlet, another deviation caught my attention. The packed Ready-To-Eat (RTE) snacks were haphazardly arranged without adherence to the FEFO principle. Instead of placing the snacks with the nearest expiry dates at the front, the arrangement was seemingly random. This could potentially lead to the sale of expired or near-expired products, posing health risks to consumers and damaging our reputation.
Both these issues were serious enough to warrant immediate attention. I documented them meticulously in the audit reports, providing detailed accounts of my observations and the potential risks associated with these deviations.
I promptly brought these issues to the attention of the outlet manager. Instead of merely pointing out the problems, we used this opportunity for improvement. A training session was arranged specifically for the team at this outlet, focusing on the importance of FIFO and FEFO principles in maintaining food safety and minimising wastage.
Through this incident, we not only managed to rectify the immediate issues but also reinforced the importance of our standard operating procedures, ultimately ensuring the continued safety and satisfaction of our customers.
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