Unitrans Biosecurity Protocols: Protecting South Africa’s Food Supply
The Critical Role of Biosecurity in FMCG Logistics
Biosecurity is a critical concern for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in South Africa, which accounts for over 30% of the country’s GDP. Infectious diseases can have devastating effects on food production and distribution, threatening both public health and the economy. Through Unitrans’ proactive approach to biosecurity, the business secures FMCG supply chains through robust, highly effective mechanisms.
Biosecurity in FMCG logistics
The FMCG industry in South Africa is a major contributor to the national economy, valued at over R650 billion annually. The sector, however, faces significant biosecurity risks. Diseases like Salmonella and Avian Influenza can be easily transmitted through contaminated vehicles, equipment, and personnel, disrupting the supply chain and putting consumers at risk. In 2017, a Listeria outbreak in South Africa resulted in over 200 deaths, costing the economy an estimated R1 billion and leading to a nationwide recall of affected products. Implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered biosecurity approach is essential for protecting South Africa’s food supply and the FMCG industry.
Unitrans key biosecurity protocols for the FMCG sector
As outlined in the Unitrans operational protocols, Unitrans ensures strict adherence to stringent biosecurity protocols throughout our FMCG warehousing and logistics operations. Through these stringent control measures, Unitrans’ customers are assured of exceptional safety and preservation of their supply chain products. These are aligned with best practice guidelines and legislative requirements. Some of Unitrans’ key requirements and protocols include:
Biosecurity Protocols
- Employee hygiene: All personnel must adhere to strict personal hygiene standards, including daily showering, wearing clean PPE, and using hand sanitizers. Where required disposable PPE are used and discarded after each use at the farm sites.
- Vehicle and equipment disinfection: All vehicles, equipment, and tools must be thoroughly disinfected before entering and leaving farm sites to prevent cross-contamination.
- Access restrictions: Only essential, authorised personnel are permitted on-site, and they must have had no contact with other poultry or domestic birds for at least 48 hours prior.
- Recordkeeping and reporting: Employers must conduct risk assessments, adhere to safe work procedures, maintain detailed records, and report any biosecurity breaches or deviations. This is both a legislative requirement and a business imperative.
Implementing biosecurity in practice
Effective biosecurity in FMCG logistics requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that involves all stakeholders and supply chain participants. Unitrans, as a leading logistics provider, has implemented stringent biosecurity protocols across its operations to protect the integrity of the supply chain. Our protocols encompass mandatory biosecurity training for all employees, strict vehicle and equipment disinfection procedures, and close collaboration with clients and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance. Unitrans also conducts regular audits and inspections to identify and mitigate any potential biosecurity risks. Even when a global pandemic struck, Unitrans’ operations continued seamlessly, ensuring that customers’ supply chains were unaffected by COVID-19. Unitrans’ biosecurity protocols meant that our customers’ businesses were prepared for even the most unexpected biosecurity risk, before it happened. Unitrans’ customers and operational facilities experienced no interruptions during the pandemic.
Technology enhances biosecurity
Emerging technologies can play an important role in strengthening biosecurity in FMCG logistics. Unitrans’ use of real-time tracking and monitoring systems helps our teams stay ahead of the curve, quickly identifying and responding to potential biosecurity breaches more effectively.
Maintaining robust biosecurity protocols is essential for the FMCG sector in South Africa, which plays a vital role in the national economy and the wellbeing of its citizens. Unitrans is a proud participant in ensuring biosecurity throughout its FMCG supply chain services, and remains committed to supporting South Africa’s FMCG industry, to ensure the health of our country’s people. As FMCG businesses seek to optimise their operations, a fully secured supply chain is an imperative. At Unitrans, through our proactive, forward-thinking, and strict biosecurity protocols, a fully secured supply chain is assured.
