From start to finish, food goes through many steps before it is served to customers. Depending on whether it is served hot or cold, there are even more steps during the preparation process. Along with the many day-to-day concerns competing for attention from foodservice operators, however, keeping food safe and avoiding costly health code violations rise to the top.

Improper food temperature is consistently cited by the U.S Food & Drug Administration as one of the most common food safety violations. Addressing food safety requires a rigorous temperature monitoring system. In the past, monitoring temperatures was tedious and sometimes ineffective as staff members manually checked and recorded temperatures in a handwritten log. Today, operators are better able to address these concerns with technology that allows for continuous temperature monitoring.

Technology brings peace of mind

Implementing more effective food safety systems is one investment that can help ease worries about food safety and bring peace of mind to foodservice operators. Most successful institutional kitchens are now using more efficient automated systems to maintain food safety, such as the DayMark Temp Monitoring Solution, powered by JRI.

Utilizing elements such as wireless sensors, internet connectivity, and web-based dashboards, these systems collect data to help directors increase the visibility and control of equipment and to maintain product freshness. The data can then be managed on a web platform using a PC, a tablet or even a smartphone.

Many systems feature even greater advantages. The DayMark system, for example, utilizes the available, more advanced LoRa technology, which further increases efficiencies and improves practices by allowing for better communication between system components, including through concrete or steel walls, or within a heavily insulated, stainless steel deep freezer. LoRa-based wireless temperature sensors can reliably transmit a signal using lower frequencies. This type of automated and wireless food safety system provides better results, safer food and peace of mind that institutional operations are shielded against food safety disasters.

Being able to monitor the temperature data of food in real time as it moves through the kitchen to address potential food safety issues, such as equipment downtime or refrigerant leaks, also reduces maintenance costs and results in improved energy efficiency. Automated systems can issue alerts if a problem is recognized in order to help maintain the safety of temperature-controlled products and to allow for prompt repair before a maintenance issue gets out of hand.

Investing in a wirelessly connected kitchen that maintains food safety and freshness helps foodservice operators worry less and allows for customers to get the most out of their dining experience.

Article originally appeared on the Foodservice Director website.