Best Served Cold
1. Introduction
With Ridgy, compliance is as simple as taking a picture. Using vision AI, thermal imaging, and Bluetooth probes, the system extracts every critical food safety value automatically — no paperwork, no guesswork.
One image captures:
Temperature checks
Food classification
Storage conditions
Time-based compliance (2-hour / 4-hour rule)
Visual hygiene indicators
The result: instant, verifiable compliance records that protect your customers, staff, and brand.
2. HACCP & Food Safety Context
Cold holding is a critical control point (CCP), especially in buffets, hotels, and restaurants where bulk food is on display and frequently replenished. The biggest risk is food entering the temperature danger zone (5–60 °C), where microorganisms and pathogens multiply rapidly.
3. Time as the Control Method
Once food leaves refrigeration, time becomes the control:
Start point – Food must be ≤ 5 °C (cold) or ≥ 60 °C (hot) before service.
Up to 2 hours in TDZ – Food may be returned to refrigeration.
2–4 hours in TDZ – Food may stay on display but must be discarded after 4 hours.
> 4 hours in TDZ – Food is unsafe and must be disposed of.
Ridgy applies this automatically by calculating 2-hour and 4-hour thresholds from the captured image.
4. Key Fields Captured by AI
Food Identification – Item, classification, allergens, storage.
Temperature & Time – Measured temp, start temp, submission time, 2/4-hour limits, max sale time.
Measurement Method – Thermometer, FLIR, or probe.
Visual Conditions – Hygiene, utensils, contamination cues.
Service Periods – Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Image Reference – Proof of compliance.
5. Risk Mitigation & Data Integrity
Each submission captures 36 unique data points. Far from excessive, every point acts as a layer of protection:
Compliance – Proves adherence to HACCP rules.
Risk Mitigation – Detects breaches before they become incidents.
Data Integrity – AI ensures objective, consistent capture.
Brand Protection – Strong defense against complaints and audits.
Consumer Trust – Customers know safety is backed by real evidence.
6. Decision Logic Summary
≤ 5 °C → Safe, compliant.
> 5 °C but < 60 °C → Time control applied:
< 2 hours: return eligible.
2–4 hours: discard after 4 hours.
4 hours: immediate discard.
7. Compliance Record Use
Ridgy turns every image into a compliance-ready digital record for:
Food safety audits
Regulatory reporting
Training and accountability
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