Determining the capabilities of food businesses to produce safe and legal food in a pandemic.

Gilbert-Wood, Chris, Kerridge, Andy, Manning, Louise and Treacy, Dennis (2021) Determining the capabilities of food businesses to produce safe and legal food in a pandemic. Food Science and Technology, 35 (2). ISSN 2689-1816

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the role of third party certification in determining how business capability is assessed. Public health controls implemented to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 abruptly halted physical audits and regulatory inspection verification mechanisms. This left many brand owners and manufacturers being faced with a “no-visitor” policy from their suppliers. Concerns were expressed about the capability of food businesses to produce safe and legal food in a pandemic with its consequential disruption to supply chains, staffing, service provisions and the consequences of reduced surveillance and verification on food standards and food safety. As a result, the food industry had to reassess the processes used to ensure the production of safe and authentic food; and to reconsider whether alternate approaches to assuring food safety and legal compliance of food products could be used. This article takes a look at the historical development of the third party audit and the role it plays in Food Safety and Quality Management Systems. It serves as a reminder of the principles that underpin a competent food business and highlights some options for monitoring and verification of a food business in the absence of 3rd party audits. Whilst these measures were introduced as a short term solution, it is likely that some elements will continue.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Agriculture, Food and Environment
Depositing User: Users 12 not found.
Date Deposited: 21 Jun 2021 12:31
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2022 14:54
URI: https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/16462

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