Top 11 Food Safety Apps to Ensure Compliance in 2024

Discover the right food safety app for your business, from user-friendly mobile apps to digital monitoring.

Over the last few years, the number of food safety apps has grown and so have their quality and capabilities. It's a combination of regulatory requirements and a growing consumer consciousness that have driven these positive advancements across the food industry, for businesses big and small.

The risk of relying on paper-based food safety systems is simply too high when things such as natural human error and lost or damaged papers occur so often.

If you're planning to digitize your systems in the near future — we suggest you do — keep scrolling to find the best food safety app for your business.

1. FoodDocs

FoodDocs is a digital food safety management system made up of a Monitoring system, Food Traceability system, and an AI-powered HACCP Plan builder. All of which helps food service and food production companies easily switch over from paper, save team members time, and always stay compliant. Its desktop and mobile apps work seamlessly together so that Food Safety and Quality Managers as well as their teams are always on the same page.

Key Features of FoodDocs' food safety app:

1. Mobile app with smart notifications: Never forget tasks with a convenient and easy-to-use mobile food safety app that runs on iOS or Android mobile devices. Team members receive notifications and alerts (e.g., corrective action prompts) and can complete checklists that include step-by-step instructions that help train your team. The system also creates automatic monitoring logs that save teams time on repetitive tasks.
   
   
   
2. Time-saving overview dashboard: FoodDocs features a central dashboard that allows users to monitor all food safety tasks in real-time, reducing the risk of missed compliance checks. This gives you a quick, real-time view of your business's compliance even if you're not on site.
   
   
3. Customizable monitoring tasks: Tailor every single monitoring tasks to your specific processes to make sure you're managing all critical control points effectively. You or a supervising team member can also enable verification so that someone is always verifying the completed monitoring tasks.
   
   
4. Traceability and product recall management: Give your business the ability to look one step forward and one step back. FoodDocs allows teams to easily trace raw materials to finished products throughout their entire production process with the help of traceability logs. And, in case of product recalls or customer complaints, you can quickly pull up data to prove compliance.
   
   

Free Trial: Yes (14 days)
Pricing: Starts at $84 per month
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

2. ComplianceMate

ComplianceMate provides food safety and operational software solutions, catering to medium to large food service establishments and retail operations. Their software is designed to enhance operational efficiency while ensuring strict adherence to food safety standards. The platform is especially popular among franchises and chains due to its scalability.

Key Features of ComplianceMate's food safety app:

1. Temperature monitoring: Get real-time temperature tracking for all food storage units, helping businesses prevent foodborne illnesses by maintaining proper storage conditions.
2. Automated checklists: The app features customizable checklists that ensure all daily food safety tasks are completed on time, reducing the likelihood of human error.
3. Wireless sensors: The platform integrates with wireless sensors that automatically record temperature data, eliminating the need for manual checks.
4. Audit-ready reports: Generate audit-ready reports that simplify the process of passing regulatory inspections.

Free Trial: No
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

3. Safe Food Pro

Safe Food Pro is designed specifically for small to enterprise-sized food businesses, with a focus on helping these companies achieve and maintain food safety compliance. The platform includes compliance management tools tailored to businesses' specific needs.

Key Features of Safe Food Pro's food safety app:

1. Food safety logbooks: Replace traditional paper logbooks with digital versions, making it easier to track and store food safety records.
2. Compliance calendar: The app features a compliance calendar that automatically schedules and reminds users of upcoming food safety tasks, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
3. Mobile-friendly interface: Safe Food Pro is optimized for mobile use, allowing food safety tasks to be managed on-the-go.
4. Integration with existing systems: The platform can be integrated with existing food safety systems, providing a seamless transition to digital management.

Free Trial: Yes (14 days)
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

4. FoodReady

FoodReady offers a comprehensive food safety and compliance solution tailored for small to medium-sized food businesses. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to assist businesses in creating and maintaining food safety programs that comply with FDA and USDA regulations. It's particularly beneficial for food producers and processors.

Key Features of FoodReady's food safety app:

1. HACCP Plan builder: Simplify the creation of HACCP plans and other food safety documents that meet regulatory standards with minimal effort.
2. Supplier management: Get more efficient at managing supplier certifications and documentation, ensuring that all suppliers meet food standards.
3. Allergen management: The app provides tools to help businesses manage and track allergens in their products, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
4. Labeling compliance: Generate compliant food labels, ensuring that all required information is accurately represented.

Free Trial: Yes (14 days)
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

5. JustFood

JustFood is a specialized ERP solution tailored for the food and beverage industry. It provides comprehensive tools that cover not only food safety but also other critical business operations. JustFood is designed for medium to large-sized food manufacturers, processors, and distributors, helping them manage compliance while optimizing their production and supply chain processes.

Key Features of JustFood's food safety app:

1. End-to-end traceability: Access features that allow you to track products throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods.
2. Automated compliance reporting: The platform automates the generation of compliance reports, ensuring that businesses can easily demonstrate adherence to food safety regulations during audits.
3. Ingredient and allergen management: The app helps businesses manage ingredient sourcing and allergen information, ensuring accurate labeling and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
4. Production scheduling: Schedule production runs that take food safety and quality control into account, optimizing efficiency while maintaining compliance.

Free Trial: No
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: Web

6. Safefood 360°

Safefood 360° offers a comprehensive food safety management platform designed for medium to large-sized food manufacturers. The software focuses on providing tools that cover every aspect of food safety management, from HACCP planning to traceability and supplier management. Safefood 360° is particularly popular among global food producers and exporters due to its robust compliance features.

Key Features of Safefood 360's food safety app:

1. Supplier management: The platform includes extensive supplier management features, allowing businesses to ensure that all suppliers meet the necessary food safety standards.
2. Incident management: Manage food safety incidents efficiently, providing tools to document, track, and resolve issues.
3. Regulatory compliance: The software supports compliance with a wide range of international food safety standards, making it ideal for companies operating in multiple regions.
4. Audit preparation: Simplify audit preparation by centralizing all food safety documentation and providing tools to generate audit-ready reports.

Free Trial: No
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: Web

7. SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)

SafetyCulture is a versatile inspection and safety management platform that serves a wide range of industries, including food and beverage. The platform is designed to help businesses streamline their food safety inspections, manage compliance, and ensure that all safety protocols are followed consistently. SafetyCulture is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small cafes to large food manufacturers.

Key Features of SafetyCulture's food safety app:

1. Customizable inspection templates: Choose from a wide range of customizable inspection templates that you can tailor to specific food safety requirements.
2. Real-time reporting: The platform allows users to generate and share real-time reports, ensuring that any issues are addressed promptly.
3. Collaborative platform: Enable team collaboration on safety tasks, allowing for better communication and coordination across different departments.
4. Task management: Ensure all safety-related tasks are completed on time, reducing the risk of non-compliance.

Free Trial: Yes ($0 up to 10 users)
Pricing: Starts at $24 / user / month
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

8. GoAudits

GoAudits is a comprehensive audit and inspection management platform designed to help businesses improve their food safety practices. The platform is ideal for small to medium-sized food businesses that need a flexible and user-friendly solution for managing their food safety audits. GoAudits is known for its ease of use and ability to adapt to various industry-specific requirements.

Key Features of GoAudits' food safety app:

1. Customizable audit templates: Explore a library of customizable audit templates that help you create inspection forms that meet specific needs.
2. Instant reporting: Generate detailed audit reports instantly, making it easy to identify and address any issues.
3. Photo evidence capture: Capture photo evidence during audits to complement any written notes to provide a visual record of any non-compliance issues.
4. Automated reminders: Get automated reminders for scheduled audits so that inspections are conducted on time.

Free Trial: Yes (14 days)
Pricing: Starts at $10 / user / month
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

9. Leafe

Leafe is a modern food hygiene app designed to help small to medium-sized food businesses streamline their food safety management processes. The platform focuses on providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for businesses to transition from paper-based systems to digital food safety management.

Key Features of Leafe's food safety app:

1. Digital checklists and forms: Digitize your food safety templates so that it's easier to complete and store them securely.
2. Real-time monitoring: Get real-time food safety task monitoring and make sure that all activities are accurately tracked and logged.
3. Automated alerts: Leafe includes automated alerts to notify users of upcoming tasks or issues that need immediate attention, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
4. Customizable workflows: Create and customize workflows to match your specific food safety processes.

Free Trial: Yes (7 days)
Pricing: Starting at £28 / month
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

10. RiskLimiter

RiskLimiter is a food safety management platform tailored for businesses in the food service and hospitality industries. The platform is designed to help businesses mitigate risks associated with food safety by providing tools for tracking and managing food safety tasks, inspections, and compliance requirements. RiskLimiter is ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small restaurants to large hotel chains.

Key Features of RiskLimiter's food safety app:

1. Food safety task management: Get tools for managing daily food safety tasks, ensuring that all activities are completed on time and logged accurately.
2. Compliance tracking: Track your compliance with local and national food safety regulations, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
3. Temperature monitoring: Integrate with temperature monitoring devices to track food storage conditions, ensuring that food is stored at safe food temperatures.
4. Automated reporting: Generate automated reports that provide insights into food safety performance and help businesses prepare for audits.

Free Trial: No
Pricing: Available upon request
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

11. Zip HACCP

Zip HACCP is a digital food safety management platform designed for restaurants, cafes, and other food service businesses. The platform focuses on helping businesses comply with HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) regulations by providing tools for monitoring critical control points and maintaining accurate records. Zip HACCP is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized food businesses looking to improve their food safety practices.

Key Features of Zip HACCP's food safety app:

1. HACCP monitoring: Monitor critical control points in food production processes in a way that ensures team members are managing food safety hazards properly.
2. Food safety logs: The platform replaces paper logs with digital logs, making it easier to track and store food hygiene records.
3. Customizable checklists: Create and customize checklists to meet your specific HACCP plans and ensure critical task completion.
4. Temperature monitoring: Integrate your monitoring devices to make sure you can easily and accurately track cold, hot, and ambient temperatures.

Free Trial: Yes
Pricing: Starting at $59.99 / location / month (with add-ons)
Available On: iOS, Android, Web

What are food safety apps?

A food safety app is a digital tool that companies build to help food businesses manage and monitor their food safety processes so that they can stay compliant with any regulation or standard. Food safety apps typically offer features such as real-time monitoring, product traceability, pre-built task templates, HACCP plan creation, and compliance tracking.

Overall, using food safety apps to replace traditional paper-based systems gives food businesses the ability to streamline operations, lower the risk of human error, and stay compliant with regulations.

5 Benefits of using a food safety app

There are many benefits, but five of the greatest benefits that businesses will gain from using a food safety app are:

1. Real-time monitoring: Many food safety apps offer real-time monitoring features that allow businesses to track critical control points and food storage conditions in real-time. This enables Food Safety and Quality Managers to easily identify incidents and fix them more quickly — all while reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
2. Improved compliance: Behind the most consistently compliant food businesses is a high-quality food safety app that meets the team's need for easy and accurate monitoring and food traceability. The combination of proven software and teams with strong food safety culture reduces the risk of incidents, fines, or penalties.
3. Increased efficiency: Gaining the ability to automate daily monitoring tasks like filling temperature logs saves busy teams hours every week. This allows team members to focus on the most important things that continuously improve overall operational efficiency.
4. Enhanced accuracy: Human error and paper-based food safety systems will always naturally be less reliable than digital ones. Food safety apps are one way to automate data collection (e.g., temperature sensors for monitoring) and reduce mistakes during food safety task completion (e.g., in-app corrective action prompts).
5. Streamlined audits: Apps help teams conduct internal food safety audits and safely store the results so that teams can always be ready to prove their compliance. There are also apps that support third-party auditing companies. In either case, having digital food safety records helps protect both sides of the food industry.

Capabilities that the best food safety apps should have

Real-time monitoring

Real-time monitoring allows businesses to track critical control points, food storage temperatures, and other food safety-related tasks as they happen. That, in combination with corrective action prompts and smart notifications in the mobile app, lets businesses catch issues early and respond in a way that limits (and ideally stops) food safety breaches.

One-step-forward-one-step-back traceability

This capability enables businesses to trace the journey of a product through the supply chain, from raw materials to finished products. This is essential for complying with FSMA 204 regulations, which require enhanced traceability to prevent and respond to food safety incidents.

Full customizability

Every food business is different. Yes, there will be similarities but operations are always nuanced. This is why having a food safety app that is fully customizable is necessary. This helps business make sure that their specific processes and workflows can be met without compromising food safety and quality.

Automated food safety plan creation

Automating the creation of Food Safety Plans such as HACCP simplifies the process of developing and maintaining those plans. It takes a lot to manually conduct a hazard analysis, identify critical control points, draft a flow chart, and come up with tens of Standard Operating Procedures. The main reason why is because it's easier to identify and monitoring all critical control points according to regulatory standards. This reduces the manual effort required and ensures that all necessary documentation is in place.

Secure File Storage

If you're ditching the piles of paper, then what solution is taking its place? Secure file storage, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of food safety records. Any food safety app worth its salt should provide secure, cloud-based storage that protects sensitive data from unauthorized access while ensuring it is easily accessible for food safety auditor and inspectors by those with access rights.

Next steps, make your own short list!

And when you do, start your free trials and/or book demos! One of the best ways to determine whether a food safety app is or isn't for you is to try it. (Seriously, start your 14-day free trial with FoodDocs and even request a trial extension if need more time.)

See how each food safety management software can meet your specific needs firsthand and start building a list of questions that’ll make you more confident in your final decision. You have a strong commitment to food safety. You're reading this resource, after all. It's only fair that the companies you're vetting do, too.

This proactive approach to food safety will help you choose the right solution, ensuring your business maintains high standards of food safety and quality.

We hope the details above help make your search for the best food safety app easier!