Achieving FSMA Compliance is the No. 1 Priority for FSQA Professionals

DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TraceGains, the leading Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) software solution for food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, polled professionals from food manufacturing, processing, and distribution in its 2016 Annual TraceGains FSQA Professional Survey. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into the current state of the FSQA profession to ensure that technology solutions are keeping pace with industry's needs.

This year’s survey included nearly 500 participants, 77 percent of whom identified themselves as food safety or quality assurance professionals, with the remainder working in regulatory/compliance, research and development, supply chain, operations, and purchasing departments.

"We designed a helpful infographic based on the survey results," said TraceGains CEO Gary Nowacki. "It's a great visual to help understand the top-of-mind issues the industry is facing."

Key findings from the survey include identification of:

• The top priorities for FSQA professionals in 2016
• The ranking of importance regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) key rules
• Top food safety and quality assurance challenges
• FSQA professionals’ predictions for the food supply chain in 2016 and beyond

“We’re seeing a recipe for stress in the food and beverage industry: Take one-part low margins, blend in one-part increased government regulation, one-part unannounced audits, one-part increasing customer demands, and one-part manual paperwork,” Mr. Nowacki continued. “Mix well, bake on high, then spread thinly with a limited pool of FSQA professionals.”

The stress placed on FSQA professionals needing to adhere to looming regulations with limited resources is apparent throughout the responses within the survey. Overall, FSQA professionals are bracing themselves for some major changes in the industry. There is an increased focus on and demand for improved processes and automation to ensure compliance and streamlined workflows.

Recruiting, training, and retaining qualified FSQA professionals is also a struggle for many food companies so TraceGains asked FSQA professionals to identify what hinders their own organizations’ ability to on-board, recruit, and retain skilled FSQA staff . The top four reasons cited by respondents were: 1) inadequate training and/or professional development opportunities; 2) inadequate pay & benefits; 3) lack of support to upgrade to automation; and 4) inadequate investment in developing and maintaining workplace culture.

This marks the third year TraceGains has polled FSQA professional to gain insights about key issues impacting the food supply chain. At the end of the survey, respondents could opt-in for a drawing to win a $100 American Express gift card, and the lucky winner was a quality professional in the baking industry. To access the complete survey results and download the 2016 Current State of FSQA Infographic, visit https://www.tracegains.com/blog/food-safety-and-quality-assurance-2016-the-year-of-impeding-regulations

About TraceGains
TraceGains’ provides food and beverage companies with a cloud-based integrated supplier, quality, and regulatory management software solution that eases compliance with FSMA, GFSI, and HACCP. By automating, innovating, and streamlining Food Safety and Quality Assurance, TraceGains’ customers are 365 Audit Ready™ and the system typically pays for itself in only four to six months.

TraceGains is among the Food Logistics Top 100 software and technology providers and was named a Top 20 Information Technology Firm by Coloradobiz magazine. Learn more about TraceGains products at www.tracegains.com. Follow TraceGains on Twitter @TraceGains.

Dana Johnson Downing
TraceGains, Inc.
720-465-9432
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