Is Smarter Better?

Debating the intelligence of animals can be as unsatisfying as arguing over free will. Which animals? What do you mean by intelligence? My cats may be smarter than I am, as they get free room and board and sleep all day.

The animals that are studied the most are the ones most like us. Over the past few decades it has become clear the great apes can learn some aspects of language and syntax, as can parrots and dolphins. Those animals are certainly smarter than most people thought they were. They learn.

A recent study shows that, to some species, learning is not necessarily better. Until someone proves to me learning it a bad thing for humans, I'll keep doing it.

This week, a look at if smarter is necessarily better for all animals.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering." - Ben Okri (Nigerian poet and novelist, 1959 - )

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HACCP Principle 7: Establish Record-Keeping and Documentation Procedures

For a successful HACCP program to be properly implemented, management must be committed to a HACCP approach. A commitment by management will indicate an awareness of the benefits and costs of HACCP and include education and training of employees. Benefits, in addition to enhanced assurance of food safety, are better use of resources and timely response to problems.

Record-keeping and documentation procedures should be simple to complete and include information that illustrates that the established standards are being met. Employees need to be trained on the record-keeping procedures and why it is a critical part of their job. Examples of records include time/temperature logs, checklists, forms, flowcharts, employee training records, and SOP's.

This week, we look at HACCP Principle 7: Establish Record-Keeping and Documentation Procedures.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "There is no formula for success, except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings." - Arthur Rubinstein (Polish-American pianist who is widely considered as one of the greatest piano virtuosi of the 20th century, 1887 - 1982)

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Honey, they've shrunk the grocery packaging

A couple of weeks ago we talked about shrinking groceries and how less costs the same or more than it did before. Not all shrinking packages are a bad thing, as some packages can get smaller and/or use less overall materials without reducing the amount they hold.

This week, a look at shrinking grocery packaging that doesn't mean getting less for more.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Fantasy abandoned by reason produces impossible monsters." - Francisco Goya (Aragonese Spanish painter and printmaker, 1746 - 1828)

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HACCP Principle 6: Establish Verification Procedures

Examples of the successful implementation of HACCP by food establishments may be found throughout the food industry. During the past several years, FDA and a number of state and local jurisdictions have worked with two national voluntary pilot projects for retail food stores and restaurants. These projects involved more than 20 food establishments and demonstrated that HACCP is a viable and practical option to improve food safety. FDA believes that HACCP concepts have matured to the point at which they can be formally implemented for all food products on an industry-wide basis.

Verification procedures are activities, other than monitoring, that determine the validity of the HACCP plan and that the system is operating according to the plan. An important aspect of verification is to determine if the plan is scientifically and technically sound. Also, that all the hazards have been identified and that, if the HACCP plan is properly implemented, these hazards can be effectively controlled. Verification can be accomplished by expert advice and scientific studies and observations of the flow of food, measurements and evaluations. Another means of verification is an on site review of the established critical limits. Each CCP will have one independent authority. This verification step provides an opportunity to make modifications to the plan if necessary.

This week, we look at HACCP Principle 6: Establish Verification Procedures .

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Now what else is the whole life of mortals but a sort of comedy, in which the various actors, disguised by various costumes and masks, walk on and play each one his part, until the manager waves them off the stage?" – Erasmus (aka Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, Dutch humanist and theologian, 1466 - 1536)

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