Introducing a quality management system into your bakery can be a daunting task and understanding whether the investment would be worthwhile is a conundrum that many bakers face. In this blog, we present you with relevant information to help with your research into quality management systems for your bakery.
What is a quality management system?
A quality management system (QMS) is a collection of business processes focused on consistently meeting customer requirements and enhancing their satisfaction. (Wikipedia) It is generally driven by the business’ strategy and includes the business’ goals and aspirations and includes policies, processes, documented information, and resources, needed to implement and maintain the system.
Why is a quality management system needed?
Quality management systems allow bakeries to ensure food safety and quality products from their production facility, as well as prevent liability claims and build and maintain customer trust whether that be with consumers or outlets who resell your products.
One size does not fit all
When it comes to quality management systems there is not a one size fits all system. Within the bakery sector, there are different ways of managing food production quality, which is outlined below:
- HACCP
HACCP uses a systematic approach to guarantee the production of safe food. This includes the identification, evaluation, and control of the steps in food production which are critical to food safety. 
- ISO9000
In brief, ISO 9000 aims to achieve uniformity in products and consists of a managerial checklist.
- BRC
BRC (British Retail Consortium) aims to guarantee product quality and food safety through a set of technical standards. It combines HACCP principles plus parts of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice). This is a very brief overview and each standard should be reviewed individually. Bakeries should review which best practice standard is most suited to their business and implement a system accordingly.
Reasons to implement a quality management system
Despite investment being needed to implement a quality system into your bakery, there are many reasons to implement one in your business.
- Stock Management
- Produce consistent products
- Reduce potential errors and wastage
- Improve efficiencies
- Automate processes
- Compliance/Show due diligence to customers and auditors
- Improved documentation/availability of documents
- Quicker audit preparation for BRC/SALSA
There are a number of quality systems available and bakeries should review them and decide which system most suits their business needs.
What does Stevens offer?
Stevens Traceability provides paperless traceability systems for bakeries covering every aspect of the production process from stock management to finished products and despatch. Using our renowned software and weighing equipment, bakeries have complete control of their quality processes, as well as benefit from an automated production process that enables quick reports for audits from independent customers and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) or SALSA. Stevens Dynamic Traceability System can be integrated with many back-office systems including Sage, SAP, Tropos, Access, Navision and many more. Call us today on 01254 685200 or email info@stevenstraceability.com to find out more.