Synergies between Safe Quality Food Certification and Lean Six Sigma in Analysis of Defects and Risk for Food Manufacturing

Abstract

The purpose of manufacturing plants is to leverage economies of scale. A collection of raw materials enters a building and leaves a completed commodity. A variety of products can be produced, unique to their requirements. One requirement across the food manufacturing industry is the consumer’s safety. A defective food product has consequences, unlike other industries’ products. Unsafe food is poisoning the well. The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certifications hold food manufacturers to a higher standard of safety and quality. Many of the tools deployed through the SQF program use Lean Six Sigma tools. Whether it is reducing food safety incidents or defects, it is different sides of the same coin. If a symbiotic relationship is formed between SQF and Lean Six Sigma; the highest quality standards can be achieved including consumer safety.