Gold Coast software firm Virtual Manager aims to eliminate risk of food poisoning through “game changing” app

A Gold Coast software firm believes it has the solution to prevent outbreaks of food poisoning causing harm and in some cases destroying businesses.

A GOLD Coast software firm believes it has the solution to prevent outbreaks of food poisoning causing harm and in some cases destroying businesses.

In 2015 Broadbeach Waters cafe Grocer & Grind was at the centre of a salmonella contamination outbreak, which left more than 40 of the cafe’s customers ill.

Twenty-two were hospitalised with symptoms including nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, chills, blood in their stools and diarrhoea.

In 2016 the cafe’s owner Taletha March pleaded guilty to two charges, brought by Queensland Health, of selling unsafe food, and the business was later forced to close.

Virtual Manager managing director Anil Patel at Sea World, which is part of Village Roadshow. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

Anil Patel, who heads up Robina-based Virtual Manager, said the case illustrates the importance of food-related businesses providing the highest level of food safety.

The business, which was started by Mr Patel and CIO Neil Fillingham, has developed a range of software platforms designed to resolve issues such as food safety, employee mismanagement, task delegation and labour inefficiencies.

It relocated from Melbourne to the Gold Coast five years ago.

Initially servicing compliance issues within the oil and gas industry, where Mr Patel’s experience is based, the company has later moved into the food safety sector after spotting a gap in the market.

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Mr Patel said many companies still have paper-based systems for monitoring food safety, which, he said, were time-consuming and could lead to costly mistakes.

The FoodSafe app Virtual Manager has launched provides real-time food and room temperature monitoring, activity tracking for both kitchens and staff members, and live updates and notifications.

Mr Patel called it a “game changer” for the industry.

“This way there can’t be errors with food safety,” he said.

“If there is a problem someone will know about it.”

The app has been created using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines for food safety and hygiene practices.

“Food temperatures and other safety issues are difficult to maintain accurately without the use of technology,” Mr Patel said.

“Safety standards are also becoming increasingly stringent, and using proven and effective technology is the only way to be sure your business is compliant.”

He said FoodSafe also enables businesses to create follow-up actions based on any failed tests demonstrating the company has undertaken due diligence and reducing the risk of illness.

“In the case of false foodborne illness claims, the business is completely protected and can show that they were not the source of the illness,” Mr Patel said.

Virtual Manager has gained listed theme parks operator Village Roadshow as a client for the FoodSafe app.

Mr Patel said in the past the company employed people to physically visit each site to check on food safety.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks COO Bikash Randhawa said the new system is less cumbersome and time-consuming than the paper-based system used previously.

“We have recently implemented the Virtual Manager software across our properties to assist our team with the day-to-day management of food safety,” Mr Randhawa said.

“Virtual Manager assists our team in having real-time visibility into daily operations, performance and compliance while also enabling seamless monitoring and recording of all food safety processes.”

Mr Patel said the business, which has clients including oil giant BP and Emirates Leisure, is looking to make further inroads into the southeast Queensland market.

He said most of their clients are based overseas.

“We see a big growth opportunity for food-compliance software in southeast Queensland,” he said.

“We have made this app as easy as possible for people to use.

“It is a digital product for people who do not typically use software.”