An IT developer’s hunger to cure his own bacon has led to the development of a digital platform for butchers that’s designed to be a cut above other compliance methods.
Cured Compliance helps butchers digitise their shop and audit, with features such as built-in compliance alerts and reports, full record keeping and daily checklists that can be tracked and stored to help meet health and safety requirements.
The platform uses a Bluetooth low energy beacon to automatically record fridge, freezer and display cabinet information, along with a Bluetooth data-logger to document cooking and cooling temperatures.
The Gympie-based start-up was founded by IT developer Bryton Wishart and Mary Valley Smallgoods owner Ryan Robb.
The pair are now working with the Agtech and Logistics Hub (Powered by AgriBusiness Connect) to fast-track their tech, developed on the back of a discussion about European bacon.
“I live on a rural property on 30 acres and I do a lot of my own food and fermentation,” Mr Wishart said.
“I was chatting to Ryan, who is a butcher specialising in small goods.
“I wanted to make my own types of bacons, the more European bacons you don’t have in Australia.
“Then, we started talking. One thing led to another and we realised there is a real need to revolutionise compliance in the industry.
“Right now, the only way to be compliant is to develop your own system or buy the compliance books. And the regulators must send someone to each butcher shop every year to do an audit of the books and a physical inspection.
“Our platform opens up options for them to do less regular physical audits.”
The pair spent two years developing their digital platform and have successfully tested it with some small butchers.
After entering discussions with Queensland’s food safety regulator last year, they started working with the Agtech and Logistics Hub to see how they could attract investment and take the platform Australia-wide.
“We are in Queensland, the regulator is on board, but we have to go to every state and work with their regulators,” Mr Wishart explained.
Their innovation efforts were recognised late last year when they won Gympie Regional Council’s Business Innovation of the Year award.
Agtech and Logistics Hub Manager Owen Williams said Cured Compliance was a tremendous Queensland innovation story.
“We are proud to work with great innovators like Cured Compliance who are addressing a real compliance challenge for butchers,” Mr Williams said.
“We are looking forward to seeing their digital platform rolled out to butcher shops across the country.”
