Establishing a quality system within a company requires time and effort. However, this alone may not ensure the safety of food products. According to the GFSI’s position paper A Culture of Food Safety, food safety culture encompasses shared values, beliefs, and norms that influence attitudes and behaviors toward food safety across an organization.
Characteristics
Food safety is a collective responsibility, with every employee playing a crucial role in its effective implementation and maintenance. Regardless of their position, employees need to grasp the impact of their actions on food safety. A robust food safety culture helps prevent and detect process deviations that could jeopardize product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
An established culture within an organization is evident when it is supported by the entire workforce, clearly articulated and regularly discussed, adaptable when necessary, responsive to addressing issues, informed about food safety risks, and integrated into daily operations.
Food Safety Awareness
Enhanced awareness of food-safe production within an organization reduces the likelihood of food safety incidents or risks. Encouraging employees to report concerns safely, fostering positive leadership, and emphasizing management’s role contribute to improving the company’s food safety culture.
Increased employee involvement and understanding of the impact of their actions promote food safety and quality, benefiting the entire organization.
Regulatory Framework
The Codex Alimentarius Commission‘s revised global standard introduces the concept of food safety culture as a fundamental principle, aiming to elevate food safety through heightened employee awareness and improved behavior.
In March 2021, the Commission Regulation published amendments to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, emphasizing the establishment, maintenance, and evidence of an appropriate food safety culture among food business operators.
BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 8, GFSI, IFS Food v7, and BRC Issue 8 recognize the pivotal role of food safety culture in ensuring adherence to correct behaviors. To ensure this, each employee needs suitable training and an understanding of their expectations. They must comprehend the correct procedures and the implications of not following them.
Goal
The goal of Food Safety Culture is to enhance employee awareness and behavior in food production plants. Clear responsibilities, updated documentation, compliance with controls, effective training, and supervision are essential for achieving this goal, aligning regulations with consumer expectations and driving improvements.
Mérieux NutriSciences Support
Fostering a culture within an organization is crucial for enhancing employee behavior and subsequently improving food safety. The foundation of organizational culture lies in the business values set by senior management. By translating these values into tangible workplace behaviors, organizations can solidify their identity. Positive behaviors not only positively impact food safety but also quality, sustainability, efficiency, and other critical business aspects.
Initiating culture change requires assessing the current culture and identifying areas for improvement. This assessment helps bridge the gap between the current and desired culture, enabling the implementation of targeted action plans that can be monitored and evaluated.
Mérieux NutriSciences offers several services to support culture improvement:
We often combine these services to ensure comprehensive project execution. Survey results are enriched with on-site assessments, leading to organization-specific recommendations. These insights are then shared and discussed with employees and senior management during workshops.
