Li Yun's Reflection for Food Safety Package 1

In this Food Safety Package 1, we are needed to look for a food product, to study on its processes, to provide a HACCP plan, and lastly to summarize everything in a report.

The product that we have chosen is a combat ration food named Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta. This food is packed in green pouches for the soldiers to consume. We got to know this product from Singapore Food Industries (SFI), which is the company Jing Yuan was attached to. That day after finalizing our food product and FILA chart, we spread our task to do research on combat ration while Jing Yuan will help to find out the product recipe and processes from her company. After consolidating the data, we met up to further discuss the project. The discussion has always been going on smoothly as most of us are active in pointing out questions and giving ideas to improve.

In this package, I have learnt a lot about combat ration foods and its production. One of the thing that suprises me was the shelf life of the food, which can be kept for 2 years in room temperature. The reason behind was due to the process called retorting. It is a high heat treatment that kills all potenial foodborne pathogens. Also, one interesting fact was that the pasta was not cooked before adding it into the pouch but cooked together during the retorting process.

However, there are also few difficulties faced. Firstly, as there is some confidential information, we are unable to get the complete information needed. Thus, Jing Yuan had to approach her colleagues several times to get more information and Yan Zhi had to try asking her colleague who has some background information on retorting food. Secondly, as I was the meeting- coordinator for my group, it was difficult to find a suitable day, time and place to meet up everyone. This is due to the difference in working shifts, company and living estate. Therefore, most of the time, we have to meet at night after our work to do the project. Though sometimes it is tough and tiring, most of us still tried our best to make it.

Overall, I think we have done a good job for Package 1 and I enjoyed working with my group mates, who are always encouraging and motivating one another. We also manage to learn from one another during every discussion meeting. I believe in the next package, we will be doing as well too!