Developing a Food Safety Culture for Organization

A food safety culture is described as the food safety values, beliefs, and attitudes shared by any group of people. A healthy food safety culture of an organization determines the complete assurance of its employees and decision-makers to creation food safe for consumption. If study the foodborne events reports, it'll show that the maximum incidents were caused due to nonconformity from safe practices. This indicates that the food safety culture mainly depends on the values, vision, and behavior of an organization as a complete. It is also dependent on the safety and risk awareness of employees. Executing a strong safety culture doesn't have to be difficult. It all just boils down to the promise of management and employees to confirming safety standards and measures are followed on a daily basis.

The Evolution of Food Safety Culture:

The perception of food safety culture evolved with occupational health and safety standards. Like occupational health and safety, food safety culture was first attentive on the workplace, equipment, and measures.

Regularly this shifted to focusing on the role of management in the safety culture. There has been a significant change observed in food safety culture. A study published in 2019 has suggested an improvement in food safety performance by combination cultural science, social science, and food science.

Basically, the study demonstrates that to decrease deaths from foodborne illnesses, organizations essential to involve their workforce into changing basic unsafe habits like thaw food on the counter and not washing hands before handling the food. Also, there is an essential for complete transparency and communication between management and staff on a daily basis to control unsafe processes and practices.

Organizing the Vision of Food Safety Culture

It is the obligation of every food business to instill a culture of food safety to confirm the highest standard of care for the products they sell.

Constancy of Message: Firstly, make policy clear to everybody. When it comes to obedience to food safety rules, neglect will not be tolerated. Confirm that all employees understand why it's critical to abide by all strategies and failure to obey could lead to termination of employment.

Across the Board Accountability: When employees see higher management complying with rules, they will be more inclined to follow lead and take food safety extremely.

If anybody is not following the safety protocols, take corrective or disciplinary actions like fines, pay cuts, re-training, and even dismissal; irrespective of their position. It will not only reinforce safety culture but also enhance the morale of employees because treating every staff member similarly.

Set Clear Expectations: In an organization with a strong food safety culture, all employees are expected to follow safety processes as a shared value. Tell employees how to manner themselves and what they should do if they see somebody violating safety rules.

Incorporating Food Safety in Organizational Culture:

Every organization has a diverse culture, but here are some overall guidelines on how to integrate food safety in organization's culture.

Start at The Top: Assure that the top management in business knows they are not exempted from following the measures, and they will be under more inspection if found not adhering to the safety rules.

Explain The Reasoning: Tell employees why it's essential to follow these processes. Explain all the aces of strong food safety culture, as well as the cons.

Provision of Training and Equipment: The employer is duty-bound to provide all the essential food safety officer training to his staff. The employer should proposal refresher courses and constant updates for staff to keep food safety, a top significance. The employer should also deliver tools to prepare food safely.

Monitoring: Monitor safety obedience of the staff by self-inspections daily. Keep the safety records for future situations. If find any misdeeds or non-compliance, address the problem as soon as probable.

Keep Policy Up-to-date: Make consistent changes to food safety policy per the national or local rules and regulations. Don't overlook to keep the staff described of any changes in the policy.

Drawbacks of Weak Food Safety Culture:

Increased Risk of Lawsuits: If the food safety culture is not robust, there will be an improved risk of outbreaks due to food contamination. This will depiction the business to illegal negligence lawsuits and bankruptcy.

Health and Safety Issues: When employees don't take food safety extremely, consumers will be more disposed to to foodborne illnesses. Neglect to food safety rules can also lead to outbreaks that affect the health and safety of many.

Reputational Risk: A poor health and safety culture in restaurant will imply to consumers that don't really care about their safety. This will result in bad reviews and negative publicity. Even one bad review can have an eternal effect on the business.

Loss of Sales: Negative publicity about weak food safety rules will lead to less consumers and sales. As a result, lose out on important profits while competitors’ advantages from loss.

Low Employee Morale: If don't deliver safe working conditions for staff, it will affect their morale and productivity. If employees are not happy, it will influence on their behavior towards consumers and hurt profits.

As ISO Consultant profession since last many years Charles has rich experience in preparing such certification documents within ISO guideline to his global clients to acquire better ISO Certification Solution to their Organization.