Quality Matters: Inside Parker Food Group’s Commitment to Excellence
At Parker Food Group, we believe that quality is the foundation of every great product. Whether it's creating innovative inclusions, custom toppings, or specialty coatings, delivering consistently high-quality ingredients is what sets us apart in the industry. Quality isn’t just a department—it’s integrated into every stage of our Supply Chain. To understand more about Parker’s approach to quality, we spoke with Amber Jordan, Vice President of Quality, who shared valuable insights into how Parker goes above and beyond industry standards.
A Relentless Focus on Quality
From day one, Parker has placed an unwavering focus on quality control, and Amber Jordan is at the heart of those efforts. “Quality isn’t just something we aim for; it’s something we build into every single step of our process,” Jordan explains. From ingredient sourcing to the final product, Parker’s Quality Systems ensure excellence, safety, and consistency, compliant with (GFSI, et al) Let’s say more here about the extent to which our efforts are validated by our various certifications – don’t believe we hit that anywhere else in this piece.
Amber goes on to share that Parker’s quality standards are built on a proactive approach: “We constantly monitor and improve our systems to not only meet but exceed industry expectations. This dedication is critical to maintaining trust with our customers.”
Advancing Technology for Quality Control
One of Parker’s key advantages is its investment in cutting-edge technology. At our Mexmo facility, for example, we’ve implemented a continuous processing line that revolutionizes the way we produce baked goods. This advanced system automates steps like baking and depanning, ensuring that every product is handled with precision. Jordan highlights, “By reducing manual intervention, we minimize the risk of contamination and ensure temperatures are controlled throughout production.”
This automated process is just one of the many ways Parker integrates technology into quality management. “We’ve built a system that allows us to monitor every production run in real-time using Red Zone, a tool that lets us continuously track and adjust quality checks. It’s not a pre-made solution—we’ve tailored it to meet our specific needs for transparency and improvement.”
Allergen Safety: A Step Beyond Compliance
In today’s food landscape, allergen safety is a top priority, and Parker takes it seriously. “Allergen management is one area where we refuse to compromise,” says Jordan. Parker implements a robust allergen control program which includes conducting quarterly allergen validations to ensure the highest levels of safety, and these rigorous checks help us avoid the use of precautionary allergen labels, giving our customers peace of mind.
Jordan offers a powerful analogy: “Think of a loaf of bread sliced into 1,000 pieces—just one of those pieces could trigger an allergic reaction in a sensitive individual. That’s the level of precision we’re working with to detect and eliminate even the smallest traces of allergens.”
To further bolster allergen safety, Parker follows the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) protocols. By adhering to and exceeding these standards, Parker ensures a safer production environment, where cross-contamination risks are minimized, and allergen control is strictly enforced.
Proactive Auditing: Staying Ahead of Risk
While many companies treat audits as routine procedures, Parker views them as opportunities for continuous improvement. “We don’t just check off boxes,” Jordan explains. “We actively seek out risks by performing self-audits and integrating them with our QMS. This proactive approach helps us stay ahead of potential issues before they even arise.”
This forward-thinking mindset allows Parker to maintain a higher level of quality and safety, ensuring that every product is up to standard. It’s not about doing the minimum; it’s about leading the way in food safety.
Exceeding Expectations: Real-World Action
This level of care is what distinguishes Parker from competitors. It's not just about maintaining standards; it's about exceeding them and always putting safety first. We empower our employees to do the right thing, every time.
Cleaning Validations: Zero Room for Error
One of the final steps in ensuring food safety is cleanliness. Parker takes cleaning validation seriously, partnering with third-party labs to swab equipment and send the results for testing. “We want to make sure we’re cleaning down to the lowest detectable levels,” Jordan explains. “There’s zero room for error when it comes to consumer safety, and that’s why we take extra measures to ensure every piece of equipment is cleaned effectively.”
A Culture of Transparency
For Jordan and her team, transparency is essential. "Food safety isn’t just a proprietary concern—it’s a shared responsibility across the entire industry.” At Parker, we are committed to making our processes as transparent as possible, ensuring customers know they can trust the products we are providing.
Parker’s proactive measures, combined with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to transparency, create a system that goes above and beyond what’s required by the industry. “We don’t take shortcuts,” Jordan says. “Our goal is always to provide the highest level of food safety and quality to our customers, and that’s something we’ll never compromise.”
