Kelsius has announced a partnership with food health software solution provide Nutritics. The partnership brings together Kelsius’ digital HACCP and wireless temperature monitoring solutions and Nutritics’ advanced recipe management and food information software to provide one seamlessly integrated solution for the food services and hospitality sectors.

A winning collaboration

The collaboration comes about as Kelsius and Nutritics have already completed several successful integrations with customers. As one combined solution, food businesses have access to a streamlined system that provides full food safety compliance, 24/7 temperature monitoring of food and ingredients, less food waste, access to real-time data, and improved operational efficiencies. Food businesses and organisations can ensure better management of ingredients and recipes for consistently fresh and nutritionally balanced dishes, all through one system that helps them to improve their sustainability.

The integration ensures that every part of food preparation, from sourcing ingredients to serving the final dish, is monitored for compliance and efficiency. Automated monitoring reduces human error and frees up staff to focus on other priorities.

Commenting on the partnership, Kelsius Chief Commercial Officer Mario Kelly said, “At Kelsius we are incredibly excited about our partnership with Nutritics and the unique set of benefits that this will deliver to our customers. For any organisation looking to reduce waste, improve sustainability and drive efficiencies, the technology integration between Kelsius and Nutritics will deliver huge improvements across their day-to-day operations.”

Angela Hart, Director Pre Sales at Nutrtics, said,” Nutritics and Kelsius have joined forces to offer a powerful combination of solutions. Nutritics provides a single platform for comprehensive food data management and digital publishing, while Kelsius is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of wireless temperature monitoring systems and digital HACCP systems. By integrating these solutions via APIs, customers can seamlessly automate their data flow with confidence and accuracy. This integration not only reduces manual labour but also minimises errors, ensuring greater efficiency and reliability.”

A sustainable solution

Both Kelsius and Nutritics place sustainability at the heart of their operations. The Kelsius wireless temperature monitoring system reduces food waste and removes paperwork by providing 24/7 real-time alerts when storage unit temperatures fall outside of set parameters. Temperatures and related data are stored in the Kelsius portal, allowing for ease of access for audits and reports.

With Nutritics’ food management software, businesses can monitor portion sizes, optimise ingredient ordering, and reduce food waste. The system provides detailed reports, allowing businesses to refine processes that lead to more sustainable practices, like reducing over-ordering or serving excess portions.

The integration gives businesses complete control over their inventory and storage processes, ensuring that ingredients are used safely and efficiently, and that unnecessary waste is minimised.

Together, Nutritics and Kelsius are helping food businesses embrace a greener, more sustainable approach to food service – one that is better for both the planet and the bottom line.

Customer safety

Customer safety has never been more important, and Kelsius and Nutritics have made it a priority. By automating the tracking of ingredients, monitoring shelf life, and ensuring full traceability across the supply chain, the partnership enables businesses to remain compliant with food safety regulations, including Natasha’s Law in the UK.

Pictured above: Ciaran Gallagher, Sales & Marketing Manager Kelsius; Richard Ward, Regional Director of Business Development (UK & IRL) Nutritics; Rob Lelliott, Sales Manager UK South Kelsius.

To learn more:

Click here to contact Kelsius.
Click here to contact Nutritics.

The symbol group Nisa commences a trial in September 2024 with Kelsius, providing digital HACCP and wireless temperature monitoring for independent grocers in the group.

The Kelsius system will allow automated temperature control for stores to ensure food is stored and cooked properly. The system includes sensors and probes for deli, bakery or butcher counters, as well as in fridges and freezers.

The sensors automatically alert retailers when a fridge or freezer temperature falls outside set parameters, helping them to prevent loss of stock and food waste. Probes can be used to monitor temperatures on the spot.

Accessing data in real time makes it easier for the retailer to create reports, gain insights, and provide data for audits. The system can also help Nisa retailers to automate checklists and monitor routine activities such as cleaning tasks.

The system saves retailers time and resources on processes that would otherwise be undertaken manually, while removing the risk of human error.

Kelsius UK food retail sales manager Danielle Guy said, “We are all aware of the challenges that continue to affect convenience retailers. Labour shortages, increasing costs and supply chain issues mean that more and more, retailers are looking to engage in processes and procedures that help them to maximise efficiencies.”

She continued, “Using the Kelsius system means that managers and business owners have peace of mind that the system is monitoring valuable stock 24/7. Food safety practices are automated, consistent and compliant with regulations, with traceability assured from delivery through to serving customers.”

Read The Grocer article covering this story here.

Musgrave Operating Partners Ireland (MOPI) represents 22 SuperValu stores that are owned and managed by Musgrave. As Ireland’s leading food retail, wholesale and foodservice company, Musgrave is proud to be one of Europe’s most successful family-owned businesses with a 140-year heritage in food and brand innovation.

In a busy and highly competitive food retail environment, MOPI was looking for a food safety system that would:

• help them to streamline their HACCP process.
• reduce time spent on manual temperature checks.
• reduce time spent on paperwork.
• provide reliable digital HACCP to automate processes for high food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Kelsius worked with MOPI to deliver results for their stores. Using the Kelsius system, MOPI:

• has achieved a 50% reduction in time spent on HACCP.
• has all but eliminated stock loss due to temperature failures in plug-in fridges and freezers.
• saves management time thanks to remote visibility of food safety activities in-store.
• has achieved simpler and easy-to-access traceability for all colleagues.
• can assure auditors with the ability to provide graphs and charts showing the history of a temperature and that spikes in temperatures are under control.
• has achieved significant labour benefits as temperatures do not have to be manually checked, thus reducing the risks associated with manual processes.

Kelsius is delighted to announce that it has joined the TUCO supplier framework as a technology provider that supports members to enhance food safety in their catering operations.

TUCO is one of the leading professional membership bodies for in-house caterers in the UK, supporting procurement and learning excellence. It works to provide quality standards and advice to those working in public sector catering. The organisation procures goods and services, helping members to drive down costs and maximise quality.

Kelsius is particularly proud to be part of the TUCO framework as it operates to very high standards for quality-assurance, value for money and to ensure that suppliers meet the needs of its members.

All framework suppliers are vetted and assessed by TUCO. TUCO’s dedicated procurement team works to provide members with access to over 15 EU-compliant framework agreements. Annual review meetings are held with each supplier and independent benchmarking is carried out. The eProcurement system provides members with an easy-to-use, one-stop-shop solution to manage supplier trading relationships.

Kelsius is now a technology supplier in the TUCO framework for Catering Innovation and Concept Solutions (CICS).  The Kelsius FoodCheck 2.0 solution provides wireless temperature monitoring and digital HACCP systems for the catering and hospitality sector. It improves food safety, ensures regulatory compliance, and helps caterers to control the costs associated with food safety management.

The app allows all Kelsius customers to receive push notification alerts directly to their smartphone or device.

Recently mobile phone network operators have been increasingly treating automated SMS and automated voice calls as spam. This can result in the non-delivery of messages and in turn risks the user not receiving critical alerts. Now with push notification alerts via the Kelsius app, users can receive push notifications in real time for alerts such as alarms warning of temperature excursions, the status of sensors and other events.

Secure

Push notifications via an app have multiple benefits particularly around security and reliability. The Kelsius app uses the most robust encryption protocols, providing a secure way to transmit information. This is particularly crucial in the food sector and life sciences industries for sensitive notifications affecting high-value stock, products or samples. With high level encryption protocols in place, messages are less susceptible to interception, being isolated or not delivered, and are delivered in a reliable, consistent and dependable manner.

The app also supports two-factor authentication (2FA), adding an extra layer of security. Users can receive secure authentication codes directly through the app, enhancing the overall security of the communication. In the event that a user’s password is compromised, 2FA means that a potential hacker will be unable to gain access to the system using a password alone.

Reliable

Where managers and supervisors need to know that an alert has been received and actioned, the Kelsius app provides delivery confirmation. This lets users know when a message has been successfully delivered and when it has been read. Managers have peace of mind that alerts reach their intended recipients who are responsible for undertaking corrective actions when required.

Offline message delivery is another feature of the Kelsius push notifications app. Push notifications are designed to be more reliable in delivering messages even when the recipient is offline. The app can store notifications until the user is back online, ensuring that important messages are not missed.

Remote Access

Kelsius alerts via the app means that all alerts can be viewed and managed whether the user needs access on site or remotely. Remove access delivers:

• Secure login from any mobile device
• Ability to select any individual alert event by entering a PIN.
• Ability to enter a predefined or custom corrective action.
• Ability to close the alert event without going back to an office or a central location.
• The app will report if an alert notification was delivered, if it was opened and if it was actioned.
• All actions are recorded and viewed on the portal audit section.
• Provides improved traceability, convenience and saves time.

Kelsius customers who currently use the Kelsius portal and receive alerts via SMS or voice call alerts can start using the Kelsius app today. Download the KELSIUS app from Google Play for Android or from the App Store for iOS. Login using your Kelsius portal login details.

If you’re new to Kelsius and work in the food sector or life sciences, learn more about Kelsius Push Notification Alerts here. Or contact Kelsius to find out how FoodCheck 2.0 and CoolCheck can automate your digital HACCP and wireless temperature monitoring processes.

Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, 29 April 2024 – Kelsius, a leading manufacturer and global provider of wireless temperature monitoring and digital Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, has announced a €5 million plan to expand its manufacturing and R&D facility. This is in response to a significant increase in global demand for Kelsius solutions which has driven significant employment growth in the company and has now resulted in a workforce that has outgrown the current facility.

Kelsius processes over 80 terabytes of data each year to support the growing demands of customers who require a secure and reliable digital temperature monitoring system. It manages billions of customer records, providing customers with a safe and secure environment for their data which they can easily access for reports and audits.

The expansion plan will allow the company to continue to serve current customers with the highest levels of support and to welcome new customers who are looking for a cost-effective digital solution that provides the most advanced technology and excellent customer service.

Kelsius’ growth plans include:

• Facility expansion: As Kelsius’ customer base grows and new functionality is delivered to existing customers, this expansion will accommodate increased production requirements.
• Next-generation product development: The project will enable a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. With software development and manufacturing co-located, the new facility will allow for a more streamlined, efficient and collaborative environment.
• Global Expansion: As the demand for Kelsius’ wireless temperature monitoring and digital HACCP systems continues to grow worldwide, the expansion positions Kelsius to meet the needs of an ever-growing customer base.
• Sustainability: Kelsius has been rated amongst the top 25% of companies assessed by EcoVadis, a global and trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. The expanded facility will be built to a B2 building energy rating (BER) standard which allows Kelsius to maximise energy efficiencies and reduce its carbon emissions.

Increasing demand for temperature monitoring and HACCP solutions

Commenting on the expansion, Kelsius CEO Karl Simmons said, “Because the Kelsius system is so easy to install and use, we’re experiencing an ever-increasing demand for our advanced temperature monitoring and HACCP solutions. This is a testament to the quality and innovation that Kelsius brings to the food and life sciences sectors. From single-site to larger multisite operations, clients use our system as a time-saving and cost-effective way to protect food, medicines and laboratory stocks. Our expansion plans will allow us to build on this demand as we continue to provide our excellent service to existing customers and to welcome new clients globally.

“We continue to work closely with Údarás na Gaeltachta who have been extremely supportive to Kelsius over the years and again now in helping us to make this expansion project happen. I want to thank them for their continued assistance in driving our growth plans.”

Today Kelsius exports its products and services to 47 countries. It monitors temperatures for customers on every continent, enabled by tens of thousands of devices distributed at customer sites, including wireless sensors and probes and centralised network controllers. This is done on a 24/7 basis for businesses in the food and healthcare sectors, protecting food products and protecting medicines in hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and blood science facilities.

About Kelsius: Kelsius is a leading manufacturer of wireless temperature monitoring systems and digital HACCP solutions. The company has a commitment to innovation and driving safety in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Kelsius empowers businesses across the globe to ensure the integrity and safety of their operations as it delivers on its mission to make the world a safer place for consumers of food and medicine. Kelsius currently employs 92 people. Current Kelsius customers include Tesco, Sodexo, Aramark, NHS, Roche Diagnostics, Abbott, Baxter, Musgrave and BWG. Kelsius is backed by the Quinn family (ex Superquinn) and WDC Western Development Commission. For more information visit www.kelsius.com.

Kelsius Fact Sheet:

• Kelsius processes and safely stores over 80 terabytes of data each year to support its customers and the data they rely on for their temperature monitoring and HACCP processes.
• In the past 10 years alone, Kelsius has managed over 70 billion customer records.
• The company processes over 100 billion database queries each year.
• Kelsius has 77,800 monitoring devices deployed around the world, recording business-critical data that protects sensitive pharmaceutical, medical and blood products, as well as food products and ingredients. Reliable data management is essential for companies operating in the food and life sciences sectors, which are highly regulated and audited frequently.
• The type of records that are safely and securely stored by Kelsius on behalf of its customers include temperature recordings, humidity recordings, user profiles and activity, live and historical data, alerts, and product data such as delivery information and batch codes.
• Kelsius processes and stores data in the EU and is GDPR compliant. Data is retained for 30+ years and strict access controls include multi-factor authentication, roles and permissions.
• Kelsius not only provides customers with the most reliable and robust systems that will protect their data to the highest standards, but it also makes data user-friendly and easy to access. This allows for ease of reporting for management whether on-site or remotely, and for quick and easy access during audits and inspections where data is required based on locations, products, dates, or other selected filters.

Downloads:

• Karl Simmons, CEO Kelsius: Download
• Eamonn Quinn, Chairman Kelsius: Download
• Architectural drawings of new Kelsius building in Falcarragh, Co Donegal including expanded manufacturing facility: Download

For people living with severe allergies, specific foods and drinks can be a potential threat that they live with every day. Around a quarter of the global population have a food allergy, food-intolerance, or a relate illness. In the world of allergies and food intolerances, we have much more knowledge than ever before, and the foodservice industry has become more proactive when it comes to catering for specific allergies and dietary requirements.

Evidence suggests that the number of food allergy related incidents is increasing worldwide. In New Zealand, the annual food-induced anaphylaxis hospital presentation rate increased almost three-fold between 2006 and 2015. In the US, the incidents of food-related anaphylaxis in children and adults increased by 177% between 2004 and 2016. And in the UK the prevalence of all types of allergies including food allergies appeared to be increasing in children between 2006 and 2020, based on a sevenfold increase in new allergy appointment capacity to meet the growing demand.

With increases in the rate of food allergies worldwide – some potentially fatal – improved testing to detect allergens, and the prevalence of legislation for food allergens, it is critically important that food businesses ensure that customers are aware of food allergens. Customers need to be able to make informed and safe choices and they can only do this when food labelling and the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Five steps to food allergen compliance.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland outlines the five steps that help food businesses to be compliant with allergens legislation.

1. By law, food businesses must declare the use of the 14 food allergens in writing. These allergens are:

• celery
• cereals containing gluten (found in barley and oats)
• crustaceans (such as shrimps, crabs, and lobsters)
• eggs
• fish
• lupin
• milk
• molluscs
• mustard
• peanuts
• sesame
• soybeans
• sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if at a concentration of more than ten parts per million (ppm))
• tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts)

2. Ensure the allergen information is legible and clear: The allergen must be indicated in the list of ingredients with clear reference to the name of the allergen and highlighted in a way that makes it stand out from the other ingredients. For example, this could be through font, style or background colour.
3. Ensure the allergen information is easily accessible to customers: This information can be provided by labelling the allergens contained in individual dishes, or by displaying a sign directing customers to ask staff for allergen information. This information must be visible, clearly legible, and easily accessible to the customer.
4. Ensure the allergen information is up to date: Allergen ingredients information should be included on ingredients labels and all allergens information should be recorded and up to date. This can, for example, be recorded digitally.
5. Monitor your suppliers’ allergen information: Suppliers should disclose, for instance, all allergenic products manufactured in the same facility as the business’s own ingredients. In addition, food businesses should be up to date on suppliers’ allergen testing procedures and preventive measures against cross-contamination.

The importance of food allergen labelling and compliance.

In the UK, the food industry is required to label common allergens in their products under the UK’s Food Information (Amendment) Regulations 2019, commonly known as ‘Natasha’s Law’. The introduction of the legislation has heightened awareness of food labelling compliance which is essential for food businesses to launch successful products that are safe for consumers to eat.

Food businesses must declare the presence of food allergens used as ingredients in their foods. High profile cases of issues with allergen packaging shows how important it is for food retailers to ensure that foods are labelled correctly, that allergen information is easily accessible, and that ingredients can be traced necessary.

As well as highlighting which foods contain allergens, labelling also serves to highlight allergen-free alternatives, ensuring that customers with allergies still have safe options to choose from.

While the growing awareness and prevalence of allergies increases the importance of compliance for food businesses and their obligations, digital solutions can help food business owners to implement safe allergens management.

• Digitalising allergen folders improves efficiencies as customers can find the information they need quickly and easily.
• This also reduces the need for paper stocks from the business, saves time spent printing, and removes the associated costs.
• Most importantly, with the ability to update digital folders more quickly and from any location remotely, it reduces the risk of human error where paper folders might not be updated by staff, sheets are overlooked, or folders in multiple locations are not updated in a timely manner or are updated at different times.

To learn about solutions for food businesses that make food allergen management safer, easier and more efficient, contact Kelsius. Our aim is to make the world safer for consumers food, through automated and digital processes that help save time and save costs.

We have solutions for allergens information management that we can tailor for your food business.

The last number of years have seen a series of increasing costs for all small and medium sized businesses in the UK and Ireland and many economic factors continue to cause challenges particularly for the hospitality and catering industry. While some are easing into 2024, others remain of concern. So what are the factors that the industry will need to consider as businesses get ready for their busy seasons in 2024? Whether the business is looking to diversify, grow, invest, or simply maintain the status quo, here we look at the factors that will have the biggest impacts.

Cost of Labour: Cost of labour recurs as one of the most significant costs in hospitality. This will increase in 2024 and in foreseeable years, as workers in the UK will see wage increases depending on their age from 01 April. From this date, workers aged 21 and over will be entitled to the National Living Wage of £11.44 per hour. This is a rise of £1.26 per hour for those aged 21-22, and a rise of £1.02 for those aged over 23. Those aged under 18 and aged 18 to 20 will also see rises in their minimum hourly rates to £6.40 and £8.60 an hour respectively. Those employing apprentices at the current £5.28 rates will also be affected, with apprentices’ hourly rates rising to £6.40 per hour.

Similarly in Ireland, the National Living Wage increased on 1 January 2024. The national minimum hourly rate becomes €12.70. This rate applies to employees aged 20 years and above. Sub-minimum hourly rates apply to employees aged under 20. These rates are €11.43 for those aged 19, €10.16 for 18-year-olds, and €8.89 if aged under 18.

Sick Leave: As part of a 4-year plan, the Irish government is gradually increasing employer-paid sick leave which will rise to 10 days in 2026. As part of this plan, the entitlement to paid sick leave recently increased from 3 to 5 days for employees. While this measure aims to provide protection and certainty to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury, the government recognises that the overall cost of doing business is of concern particularly for small businesses. As part of targeted measures to support businesses, the increased Cost of Business Scheme announced in Budget 2024 provides direct financial support to small businesses directly impacted by increased costs. The scheme includes a once-off grant which will benefit up to 130,000 small and medium businesses from a fund of €250m.

In the UK, employers without a company sick pay scheme should pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to eligible employees. This is £109.40 per week and paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks.

Energy costs and geopolitical factors: Businesses and households alike were hit by soaring energy prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the UK the Energy Bills Discount Scheme runs until March 2024. However this has been most beneficial to heavy energy-using sectors, particularly manufacturing. In addition, recent research has suggested that over half of SMEs were unaware of the financial support it provides and therefore have not availed of potential savings.

Across Europe, while many predict energy prices may drop in 2024, they are unlikely to fall to pre-invasion levels.

Events affecting shipping in the Red Sea and recent drought in the Panama Canal have the potential to affect the price of global raw materials and cereals, as rerouting options mean more time and cost. These have not materialised into significant additional costs for businesses at the end of distribution chains as yet, but it remains to be seen if this happens should these events continue long term.

Inflation: Inflation in the UK stalled at 4% in January, having fallen significantly during 2023. While this is some good news for the hospitality sector in that this is a long way from the 10.4% rate just a year ago, it may not stay at this rate. Many analysts believe it may well hit the Bank of England’s 2% target later this year but that may not last if as expected, energy prices continue to fluctuate.

Similarly in Ireland, the inflation rate is currently 4.1%. this is a drop of 0.5% on the previous month. Hospitality however had one of the most significant price growths in the 12 months to January. This is no surprise as multiple factors are contributing to the challenge of doing business in this sector. According to the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), this includes low margins, rising costs and the housing crisis. Among costs, the RAI points to increasing PRSI rates which will increase by 0.1% in October, and the VAT rate which returned to 13.5% last September.

Looking for ways to reduce costs in your hospitality or catering business? Find out more here.

According to the UK Food Security Report 2021 (chapter, Food Safety and Consumer Confidence), most consumers in the UK trust the food they buy and eat to be safe and accurately labelled. Indeed, the level of food business compliance with food safety regulations remains generally high.

Reports of food safety incidents have increased since 2010. Although this is largely due to better detection rates and reporting, it does highlight the need for food practitioners to constantly be aware that incidents of food poisoning, outbreaks and allergic reactions are always a real risk. With this in mind, restauranteurs and caterers should make it their business to regularly update themselves and their teams on the importance of temperature monitoring for food and how bad practices can affect their customers and their business.

Implications of poor food safety

Poor food safety practices can damage your business reputation and brand. If your food is contaminated due to poor food safety practices, you will have to:

• withdraw contaminated food products,
• stop individuals from consuming them, and
• your business will potentially suffer from reputational damage.

Damage to your reputation, even when repaired, can create a dent in the perceived credibility of your business. By following proper food safety practices, you can help prevent reputational risk and protect yourself against potential litigation, bad social media reviews, and more.

Temperature control

Maintaining the correct temperature of food is crucial for ensuring food safety. Food that is not stored or cooked at the right temperature can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. This can be particularly dangerous for new businesses if they do not have staff with the experience or knowledge to implement proper food safety practices.

According to the Food Standards Agency of the UK, it is important to use a calibrated probe thermometer to check and monitor the temperature of food as part of your food safety HACCP management system.

Remember to ensure that temperatures measured are also recorded. To simplify the process, use a digital temperature monitoring system that allows you to take temperature readings across multiple locations if necessary, and which also allows you to record data and retrieve reports whenever these are required for audits and inspections.

 Keeping records

How many times have you tried to retrieve information of any kind, only to find that the information you need can’t be found? Maybe it was filed incorrectly, maybe it was deleted in error, or maybe the ‘correct’ file was incomplete or contained bad data. Keeping accurate, reliable and accessible records is critical in a highly regulated food safety environment.

Reduce the risks of manual processes by using a digital HACCP system that can provide your HACCP records automatically. As well as providing real-time reporting, a digital system provides data analysis and insights that can highlight trends at sites, allowing you to make data-driven decisions to help improve the business.

Securing your data

Finally, remember to always ensure that your data, particularly data kept digitally, is secure. Losing your data or being a victim of a cyber attack not only inconveniences your business, but risks losing data that you need for EHO inspections and audits. Whatever the food safety system you employ, make sure it gives you the flexibility to assign roles and permissions only to staff members as required. Opt for a system that has been developed for GDPR compliance, with vulnerability management and threat modelling incorporated into its security testing. Any system should also includes controls such as multi-factor authentication.

Food safety in always the number one priority in the hospitality industry. Poor food safety practices can risk your customers’ health and damage your business reputation and brand. Use digital technologies to improve food safety processes and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. By adopting best practices both in food safety and your digital technology, you can help protect your customers, your business, and your brand.

For more on digital HACCP for hospitality, contact Kelsius.