Levels of Operation and Mechanisation
The term 'level of operation' is in reference to the scale of food production and the sophistication in the technology they use. The various levels of operation are: 1. Household. This level is very basic and the quantity of the product is minimal, usually home appliances are the equipment used to
make the product e.g. selling home-made jam at a local market.
2. Small business. This level food is produced on a small scale with some employees and equipment is usually not industrial e.g. a
small boutique cake shop.
3. Large company. This level a company may own several stores and the product is produced or sold on a large scale, many of the
processes used are mechanised e.g. Greens make a range of cake mixes, which are produced on a large scale for later distribution
to retail store such as Coles and Woolworths.
4. Multinational. This level is a multinational organisation or company that operates all over the world, these companies use highly
sophisticated technology and have a large output e.g. Coca-cola.
As a general rule, the larger a business is, the more people it shall employ, and the larger the volume it produces and the more mechanisation and computerisation it uses. Mechanisation refers to the reduce need for human labour and can ensure that processes are consistent.
make the product e.g. selling home-made jam at a local market.
2. Small business. This level food is produced on a small scale with some employees and equipment is usually not industrial e.g. a
small boutique cake shop.
3. Large company. This level a company may own several stores and the product is produced or sold on a large scale, many of the
processes used are mechanised e.g. Greens make a range of cake mixes, which are produced on a large scale for later distribution
to retail store such as Coles and Woolworths.
4. Multinational. This level is a multinational organisation or company that operates all over the world, these companies use highly
sophisticated technology and have a large output e.g. Coca-cola.
As a general rule, the larger a business is, the more people it shall employ, and the larger the volume it produces and the more mechanisation and computerisation it uses. Mechanisation refers to the reduce need for human labour and can ensure that processes are consistent.
Research and Development in the Australian food industry
Research and development in the food industry is costly but necessary to ensure it remains up to date and competitive on a world scale. The government provides funding to assist in research and development and some of this is done by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The CSIRO does research for all sectors of the food industry. Recently CSIRO has established six national research flagships, which one is called Food Futures, aimed to transform the Australian agri-food sector. Other government bodies such as Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) also conduct consumer and industry research. FSANZ works with governments of Australia and New Zealand to develop standards for what is in our food and how it is labelled. The long-term benefits of research and development include increased exports, production of healthier and safer foods and improved farm profitability.
Quality assurance
Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that set standards of food are met. In the food industry quality assurance is there to ensure the consistency in the products. Quality assurance is the responsibility of all staff, from development of raw products to processed products and even follows through to the retailer. The majority of food producers use a system called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), this looks at problem areas in food production and aims to control or minimise hazards. Certain industries within the agri-food chain follow a compulsory management system which state government inspectors check regularly. Other methods of checking whether products are meeting a certain standard is the 'customer complaint procedure', which multiple of them have a 'money back' guarantee.
Consumer influences on the food industry
Due to the changing nature of the Australian society different demands have occurred on a range of different foods. Demographics of a population such as age, income and ethnicity change overtime and thus change the demand for certain foods. Geographic location can influence food trends, this is due to the fact that where a person lives can affect what they eat such as a person who lives on the beach will tend to eat foods such as fish where as a person who lives in the outback (country town) will tend to eat local foods mainly local cattle and crops. Levels of education of food awareness are increasing which can change food demand this includes health awareness, environmental factors, convenience and dietary needs.