#Japan #Tokyo #Food Safety #Ueno Food Tech #Harecord

Addressing Labor Shortages in the Food Industry with Digital Solutions

In the wake of a severe labor shortage affecting the food service industry, Ueno Food Tech Co., Ltd., based in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, is stepping up with an innovative solution aimed at digitizing HACCP record management. The company will showcase its cutting-edge product, 'Harecord', at the Food Hygiene Innovation Expo, scheduled to take place from December 3rd to 5th, 2025, at Makuhari Messe. This event aims to continue enhancing food safety protocols while streamlining operations for food businesses and eateries alike.

The Power of 'Harecord'

'Harecord' is a cloud-based service designed to simplify the management of HACCP records and general hygiene controls within the food industry. It boasts a flexible structure capable of adapting to various environments, including food manufacturing, school lunch services, and restaurants. Key features of 'Harecord' include:

• - Centralized Cloud Management: All record creation, validation, and approval processes are completed online, eliminating the need for paper storage and manual data entry.
• - User-Friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, 'Harecord' can be navigated even by non-technical staff members.
• - Customizable Forms: The service offers tailored templates for temperature control, cleaning logs, and personal hygiene checks, ensuring compliance with industry-specific needs.
• - Remote Access for Approvals: Managers can review and approve records from multiple locations, enhancing operational efficiency.
• - Cost-Effective Implementation: Businesses can start using 'Harecord' with no initial costs and opt for gradual integration.

With a variety of pre-defined formats such as personal hygiene checks, temperature management, and daily reports available for immediate use, 'Harecord' is crafted to ease the transition into digital practices, especially for first-time users.

The Inspiration Behind 'Harecord'

Founded in 2016 but rooted in a history that stretches back more than 100 years, Ueno Food Tech has continually supported food safety. The creation of 'Harecord' stemmed from a pressing need identified within the industry where much of the workforce was bogged down by manual record-keeping tasks, preventing a focus on enhancing food quality. As the food sector grapples with increasing labor shortages, a growing reliance on foreign labor and non-regular employees has surfaced alongside the urgency to standardize training for hygiene practices and operational procedures.

The mandatory adoption of HACCP guidelines has simultaneously increased the necessities for documentation, leading to a significant rise in the demand for improved, paperless systems. 'Harecord' addresses this pressing issue with a commitment to making record-keeping easier, more precise, and accessible for all.

Ueno’s CEO, Yoshimitsu Nakano, emphasizes, “The name 'Harecord' symbolizes our aspiration to bring clarity and brightness to record-keeping in the food industry.” By addressing the challenges faced by frontline workers, this innovative service reinforces the transition towards a more effective digital framework in the food sector.

Feedback from Implementing Companies

Companies that have adopted 'Harecord' have shared positive experiences:

• - “We've virtually eliminated missed checks on hygiene management, significantly reducing the risk of oversight.” – Restaurant Owner
• - “Around 80% of our paper records have been digitalized successfully.” – Quality Control Manager, Food Manufacturing
• - “The real-time information sharing between on-site teams and administration has increased our operational efficiency.” – Quality Control Officer, Meat Distribution

This strong receptivity validates 'Harecord's intuitive design and its alignment with the industry’s evolving needs.

Continuous Improvement and Innovations

In response to ongoing user feedback, 'Harecord' recently unveiled its updated format for the 'Basic Production Daily Report', enhancing the flexibility in documenting complex processes. The upgrade has received warm commendations from users across the restaurant and manufacturing sectors. Acknowledging the hurdles faced by multi-location dining establishments regarding record consistency and information sharing, 'Harecord' has introduced a new 'Head Office Function' to consolidate record management and ensure comprehensive adherence to hygiene practices.

This feature allows teams to monitor hygiene management statuses across diverse locations in real-time, facilitating effortless information sharing with just a click.

Moving forward, Ueno Food Tech remains committed to listening to field feedback and driving advancements to elevate hygiene management standards within the food industry.

About Ueno Food Tech

Founded in 1918, Ueno Food Tech Co., Ltd. has consistently championed 'Total Sanitation' principles, providing microbial control technologies, sanitation materials, and consulting services that enhance food safety, quality, and the reduction of food waste.

For more information about Ueno Food Tech, visit Ueno Food Tech Website or learn more about 'Harecord' at Harecord LP.