bisnisrakyat.id - Food safety is a fundamental priority in the food industry, where each product must meet strict standards to ensure it is safe for consumption. PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia, a company within this sector, fully understands the necessity of these standards to maintain consumer trust and regulatory compliance. This article explores the importance of food safety competence in recruitment, the challenges faced, and strategic solutions for overcoming them.

Why is Food Safety Competence Important?

Food safety competence impacts more than product quality; it is essential for the company's reputation and consumer trust. This competence is crucial for:

1. Reducing the Risk of Contamination
   In-depth food safety knowledge allows employees to identify and manage contamination risks in the production process. This understanding supports the implementation of sanitation standards and correct processing procedures, reducing the risk of consumer harm and preserving product quality.

2. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
   Food safety regulations, such as HACCP and SSOP, require specific measures to maintain quality at each production stage. Food safety competence helps PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia achieve consistent compliance with these standards, avoiding the risk of penalties or legal implications.

3. Improving Production Efficiency and Quality Consistency
   Employees skilled in food safety principles work more effectively, ensuring that products consistently meet quality standards. This reduces losses from substandard products and enhances customer trust in the brand.

Challenges in Implementing Food Safety Competence

PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia faces several significant challenges in implementing food safety competence:

1. Limited Availability of Skilled Candidates
   Candidates with a background or experience in food safety, especially those with a minimum education level of SMA/SMK, are relatively scarce. This makes it challenging for the company to find applicants who possess basic food safety knowledge.

2. The Need for Continuous Training
   Food safety competence requires consistent, ongoing training. PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia must allocate adequate resources to train employees, particularly in production and QC divisions, ensuring they understand and adhere to food safety SOPs.

3. Maintaining Employee Adherence to Safety Protocols
   Although training is provided, the company still faces challenges in ensuring employees adhere to food safety protocols. This requires stringent monitoring and a dedicated effort to foster a culture of compliance.

Solutions to Overcome Challenges

To address these challenges, PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia can adopt the following strategic steps:

1. Regular Competency-Based Training
   Internal competency-based training can help employees understand the applicable food safety standards. By organizing regular training sessions, as done by the company's Food Safety Team, employees will be better prepared to apply appropriate sanitation and processing procedures.

2. Implementing Competency Testing in Recruitment
   In the recruitment process, the company can incorporate competency testing, such as pre-tests and post-tests, especially for positions in production and QC. These tests help the company assess candidates' foundational knowledge in food safety and select those with potential or a basic understanding.

3. Collaboration with Educational Institutions
   PT. Bisnis Rakyat Indonesia can collaborate with educational institutions to ensure graduates entering the job market have foundational food safety competencies. Internship programs or training partnerships with vocational schools or universities can be an effective solution in preparing a workforce that aligns with the company’s needs.

4. Developing Internal Certification Programs
   Internal certification programs can reward employees who demonstrate a strong understanding of and adherence to food safety SOPs. These certifications provide an incentive for employees to continuously enhance their knowledge and practices, helping foster a workplace culture that aligns with food safety standards.