Logistics and Operations Management - Essay Example

There are various elements present in the supply chain activities of fast food industries that include food ingredients and/or raw materials, transport, storage, food production, safety and hazard analysis. It has been apparently observed that the processed foods are provided in the worldwide business market segments with inappropriate ingredients and served in an unethical manner. In the supply chain operations of fast food industries, there exist sorts of various potential risks including harmful chemicals and inappropriate animals feed products.

Moreover, there also lay certain hazards associated with the production of food products such as food poisoning, viral infections, mould growth, harmful fertilizers and cleaning fluids among others. Consequently, the identified risks or hazards in relation to processed fast foods are the major ethical concern for consumers in worldwide business market segments (Institute of Food Science & Technology, 2013; Mercola, 2013). Discussion Processed foods are regarded as commercially prepared foods that are made for the convenience and the ease of consumers in the form of ready-to-eat and frozen ones.

In this regard, a hamburger is a processed food ready-to-eat meal which is consumed by a majority of people worldwide. It can be viewed that hamburgers majorly comprise processed meats. A hamburger is a common type of sandwich which includes ground meat such as beef, chicken and pork among others. Hamburgers are served with tomato, lettuce, bacon, cheese, pickles, onions and condiments comprising ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise (Grand Erie District School Board, 2009). Ingredients of Hamburger The different ingredients of hamburger ultimately make the fast food ready-to-eat for the consumers which they purchase from retail stores and high street shops.

The various ingredients of a Hamburger generally include condiments, ground meat, hamburger bun, salt, pepper, soybean oil, sesame seeds and cheese. These ingredients have been discussed hereunder. Condiments The condiments comprise vegetables including tomatoes, pickles, onions, ketchup and relish. It can be viewed that different chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are used in growing these vegetables. On harvesting these vegetables, they are shipped to warehouses wherein they are stored and processed.

These vegetables are further processed into secondary products and are shipped to different processing companies. In these companies, the above vegetables are processed into ketchup, pickles and relish with the aid of mechanical equipments (Grand Erie District School Board, 2009). Ground Meat In the present scenario, different chemicals are used with the objective of ascertaining that they are raised in a quick manner with adequate amount of meat. The cattle are shipped for processing in different companies.

In these companies, the cattle are slaughtered and chopped into large chunks of meat which is recognised as primal cuts. The chopped meats are refrigerated and are transported to ‘food service warehouse’. In the warehouse, the meats are grounded and are developed into patties. These patties of meat are boxed and packaged for further use (Grand