Internet of Things linked wearable devices for managing food safety in the healthcare sector

Food hygiene and safety are critical in healthcare organisations where patients are vulnerable against diseases triggered by food prepared under improper conditions. In the UK, almost 400 healthcare institutions were found to need significant improvements to their food catering standards (Press Association, 2016). Such organisations still rely on traditional pen and paper-based methods to record all food-related parameters. This often leads to intentional or unintentional breaching of food standards and increases the endangerment on the health of both the vulnerable patients and other visitors. The complexity of the food supply chain makes it difficult for stakeholders to be aware of food safety issues such as cross-contamination, time and temperature deviations, improper storage or waste management, in real-time. However, using the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable device concepts may resolve some of these issues by connecting the objects and stakeholders through a network. This chapter, therefore, explores the role and benefits of implementing these technologies to automate the process of collecting crucial food product processing and development data and their use for real-time food safety in healthcare organisations, in hopes of eliminating food-related health risks. It will also demonstrate how Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) in food safety may be integrated into the healthcare food supply chain.