Food Safety Culture
Food Safety Culture
Food safety is the top management priority of the Yoshinoya Holdings Group and the strongest bond between us and our customers. We treat safety management as much more than a simple structure; by ensuring that every individual employee consistently “does the right thing in the right way,” we are fostering food safety as a steadfast corporate culture. We merge cutting-edge technology with sound governance to ensure our customers’ peace of mind through every step of the process—from procurement to service—all while preserving our traditional flavor.
Three Pillars that Support Safety
Among our material issues, we have identified “providing safe food” as our top priority. We have established a robust framework under our Group business philosophy of “For the People,” based on the following three pillars.
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Implementation of management system based on international standards
We have deployed a comprehensive food safety management system based on the principles of FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) 22000 and ISO 22000, encompassing everything from our factories to logistics and stores. We have implemented Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and other science-based food sanitation control systems, and put in place a robust framework to ensure food safety from procurement to service.
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Unification based on group standard
In addition to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, we have established our own group standards that apply groupwide. This has facilitated the maintenance of safety and standardization of practices as we have established a system that enables everyone to maintain the same high food safety level across all business formats, including Yoshinoya, Hanamaru, and our ramen operations.
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Swift, reliable crisis management structure
In preparation for unforeseen incidents, we have established the “Group Food and Product Emergency Response Regulations” and formulated a swift, reliable crisis management structure. In the event a major incident occurs, a Risk Management Committee led by the president will immediately be formed and products promptly recalled from the market—evidence of our prioritizing customer safety over financial impact.
Culture Formed through Maturation of Consciousness
Ultimately, food safety is accomplished by people. We are committed to raising awareness among all employees and fostering a culture of safety across the breadth of the organization.
- Visualize and improve food safety culture
In the interest of quantitatively assessing the level of food safety culture within each organization, we periodically conduct awareness surveys among employees. We continuously improve the level of food safety culture based on the results obtained by focusing on intensive training and improvement initiatives in areas where we see that the culture is underdeveloped.
- Enhance internal and external communication
[Internal] In addition to implementing tiered training programs based on job levels, we are promoting the creation of manuals in video form and multiple languages to ensure that all employees, regardless of background, can fully grasp the content. We are also augmenting our on-site management structure by cultivating area managers (AMs) capable of identifying and resolving issues at the store level.
[External] With respect to our customers’ “right to know,” we are proactive in providing allergy and nutritional information on our menus and offering them in multiple languages. And, in the interest of further enhancing food safety, we collect and analyze customer data.
Evolve by Integrating Tradition and Technology
The integration of our tradition of pursuing “deliciousness” with the latest technology has enabled us to achieve high levels of safety and efficiency.
- Innovate manufacturing sites
At the Hanamaru Udon factories, we have successfully replicated the water quality of the Sanuki region and automated the noodle-making process. This has made it possible for us to consistently reproduce the craftsmanship of our artisans, even in mass production. Minimizing human contact also helps mitigate the risk of foreign object contamination.
- Digital transformation (DX) of store operations
We have started digitizing store records, which enables accurate record management and reduces employee workload. We have also implemented remote monitoring systems overseen by area managers to streamline and optimize store operations, thereby fostering an environment in which employees are able to focus on cooking, customer service, and hygiene management.
Preserve Responsibility to the Future Across the Supply Chain
When it comes to our commitment to safety, it doesn’t stop at our stores. The importance we place on integrity is evident across the entire value chain—from ingredient sourcing to serving our customers, and ensuring environmental responsibility.
- Sustainable procurement and environmental preservation
We are building a sustainable supply chain that prioritizes not only quality but also consideration for the environment and human rights by conducting supplier audits in collaboration with our business partners. Moreover, our commitment to environmental conservation, evidenced by our maintenance of a 100% food recycling rate at our factories and reduction of plastic use, demonstrates our streamlined, efficient management system and forms the foundation for ensuring food safety over the long term.
Embedding Food Safety into Corporate DNA
Our sincere dedication to food safety is manifested in our commitment to consistently applying our own rigorous standards across the entire process—from ingredient sourcing to serving our dishes. Our customers benefit from this comprehensive management system as they can always enjoy the exceptional flavors we strive to deliver with total peace of mind.
This is much more than a mere system; every individual employee shares this spirit and strives for continuous improvement. As a result, food safety is not something extraordinary, but is deeply ingrained in our corporate culture. Built upon the sturdy foundation of safety, Yoshinoya Holdings will continue providing the joy of food to people worldwide.
