How to Build a Food Safety Culture?
Food safety culture is about attitudes, opinions, as well as behaviours and the priority given to food safety in a business. It’s how everyone (owners, managers, employees, and in some cases - volunteers) think and act while performing their daily tasks to ensure the food the company makes or serves is safe.
In a strong food safety culture, people take responsibility, pride and care in producing safe food. They understand the importance of making safe food and the consequences if things going wrong. People have the right knowledge and skills and a share a genuine commitment for doing things the right way, every time. Most importantly, they do this for the right reasons – not because they’ve been coerced or threatened.
Food safety culture starts at the top but to be integrated into a business it needs to be support by all stakeholders. It’s doesn’t just apply to food handlers, but also people involved in cleaning, maintenance, purchases, recruitment and other activities. Everyone contributes to the culture of a business and food safety is no different.
THE BENEFITS
Consumer Health Protection
Implement stringent safety measures and protocols to minimise the risk of contamination and ensure the food you serve/provide is safe for consumption. This should not only apply to what takes place in-house, but your suppliers and any 3rd party contractors.
Work practices that are focused on public well-being are a clear demonstration of your commitment to consumer health. This acts as proof of your ethical standards and corporate social responsibility
Regulatory Compliance
Adhering to food safety standards and regulations is not only a legal obligation, but also a critical aspect of ensuring the quality and safety of food products. A strong food safety culture helps organisations stay in compliance and reflects their commitment to contributing to the overall integrity of the food industry.
Consumer Trust and Reputation
Companies that prioritise and invest in food safety practices demonstrate their commitment to delivering high-quality, safe products to consumers. This, in turn, builds brand loyalty and a positive reputation, as consumers are more likely to choose products/services from companies with a proven track record in prioritising food safety throughout their operations.
- Risk Mitigation and Cost Savings
A food safety culture provides the means to mitigate the risk of incidents that could lead to financial penalties and litigation.
Investing in a strong food safety culture is, therefore, a strategic business decision that safeguards against potential reputational damage and enhances overall operational efficiency and sustainability.
A 3 Step Process
It breaks down to a 3-step process: 'Know, Do, and Follow through':
Step 1: Know where your business stands
This requires a level of assessment/audit that includes:
- Current training strategy
- Use of visual reminders (posters etc).
- A short anonymous questionnaire
This will help you to perform a quick 'health check' of your business's food safety culture. You'll get an idea of the importance placed on food safety.
Step 2: Do something to make a difference
- Achieving a strong food safety culture takes:
- Effective leadership and commitment
- Contribution and support from everyone in your business.
Step 3: Follow through for a long-lasting impact
- Track and monitor changes in your food safety culture.
- This might be a task delegated to your inhouse Occupational Health & Safety Committee.
- Review and assess on an annual basis.
