Foodborne diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year[1]. There are over 200 of these diseases, and in a post-pandemic era, food health and safety priorities have been put on the top concerns of the consumers. With the industry facing outbreaks, shortages, and disruptions, it is crucial that players across the food value chain – from farms and processing plants to retailers and restaurants – meet the growing demand for safe, healthy food, while protecting the well-being of workers.
The United Nations General Assembly established World Food Safety Day in 2018 to raise awareness of this important issue. For this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the theme for the 2022 World Food Safety Day, “Safer food, better health”, the call to action is clear for the food industry: Comply with international food standards and engage employees, suppliers and other stakeholders to grow and develop a food safety culture through education.
In honor of World Food Safety Day, Laure-Anne Mathieu, Bureau Veritas’ Global Food Audit Manager, talks us through the advantages of a robust Food Safety Management System for today’s food market.
WHAT IS A FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?
A Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is a systematic approach that food companies use to identify and mitigate food safety hazards. An FSMS must be based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, which identity, evaluate and control food safety hazards from production to consumption. FSMS also incorporates prerequisite programs (PRP) like Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Because FSMS enable food industry players to consistently ensure food safety, they are legally required to do business in most parts of the world and are critical to earning and maintaining the confidence of consumers and other key food industry stakeholders.
WHAT ARE THE 2022 FOOD SAFETY TRENDS
The continuing pandemic has maintained a strong pressure on the food supply chain to adjust its practices and adapt its standards to access to goods. Although the food industry is mature and experienced in food safety, these last two years have shown the need to innovate to ensure the entire value chain is fully on-boarded in food safety practices but also to elevate the added values of the food safety system to ensure continuous improvements.
There are gaps of maturity that need to be closed by new solutions supporting the industry to improve food safety. The need for the collaborative model is urging stakeholders to align their skills and share knowledge of the food supply chain situation to secure traceability in order to commonly ensure food safety to consumers across the world.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR AN FSMS?
Companies can choose among several high-quality FSMS that are internationally recognized, built around preventative controls, and applicable to actors throughout the food value chain.
- The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) provides world-renowned food certification programs that cover farming, packaging, storage, distribution, and more. The most widely accepted certification in the food industry, the GFSI Benchmarking process offers food companies access to markets worldwide and reduces trade barriers.
- ISO 22000 combines several food safety standards into a comprehensive set of requirements that allow food companies to identify and control safety hazards. ISO 22000 also integrates elements of GMP, HACCP, and other leading preventive procedures.
- FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-approved food safety standard based on ISO 22000 that enhances access to global markets for suppliers, processors, manufacturers, and more.
- Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) and International Food Standard (IFS) are industry-specific standards for food safety and quality. Certification to these standards helps food companies access international markets, improve relationships with food distributors and reduce the food safety risks.
HOW CAN BUREAU VERITAS SUPPORT FOOD COMPANIES WITH FSMS CERTIFICATION?
Bureau Veritas provides Testing, Inspection, and Certification services for all stages of the food supply chain, helping food manufacturers, processors and suppliers certify their FSMS, including GFSI and ISO 22000. We support industry players looking to provide greater supply chain transparency to their customers, delivering audits and performing lab testing for products labeled gluten-free, organic, GMO-free, etc. Additionally, we offer comprehensive online and in-person training for internal teams, helping them develop the skills to implement a compliant FSMS or raise awareness and understanding of Food Safety Culture.
[1]Joint Statement issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), April 2020.