Organizations and businesses that are associated with the
production, distribution, preparation and the handling of foodstuff are
susceptible to certain hazards, which can occur during any stage of the entire
procedure. After considering a number of factors and taking into account all
the hazards the regulatory authorities of most countries have stipulated that
these organizations or businesses are required to have a Food Safety Management System in place to provide adequate safety
for their produce and the general public at large.
A Food Safety Management
System can be implemented by organizations and businesses to meet the
requirements set forth by the regulator in accordance with the type of business
they are involved in. There is a requirement to understand that the
stipulations could be different for a producer, a manufacturer and for that
matter even a retailer. However, it is the overall responsibility of the business
concerned to ensure that the products delivered to the end consumer are safe
for consumption and do not pose any kind of risk to them.
At this stage it would be honest enough to state that businesses and
organizations could begin believing a FoodSafety Management System is just another problem, which will make it
difficult for them to continue with their business activities. Implementing a
Food Safety Management System is not just about having a few controls in place
but needs a commitment from the business that they will at all times comply
with the regulations which have been stipulated by the regulatory authority.
They are obliged to have in place a mechanism, which will allow them to have
systems that are established, operated and updated within the framework, which
has a structured system of management and has also been incorporated within
their overall activities of management.
The introduction of a Food Safety Management System within the
framework of an existing business can sound like a complicated matter to most
businesses. The system will need dedicated personnel who can monitor the raw
material or the finished products of the business every step of the way and
even ensure that they maintain adequate records, which can be verified by the supervisory
body. There will definitely be certain costs involved which the organization
could feel is not warranted. It is a certainty that the organization will have
to set aside resources and the manpower necessary for the proper implementation
and maintenance of the system. However, companies that are prepared to overlook
the resources, which they will be required to expend, will stand to gain
immensely because the system can be beneficial to them.
There is a strong belief among many that the presence of food borne
hazards only affects the products at the point of consumption, which is truly
not the case. Food safety hazards can occur during any stage of the food chain
and therefore it is vital that adequate controls in place. A Food Safety
Management System has been designed specifically for this purpose and the sole
objective of the system is to ensure that the combined efforts of all parties
within the food chain are taken into account. One of the foremost systems which
have gained popularity throughout the world is the ISO 22,000 and has in place
a system which is not just beneficial to the end client but also to all parties
involved during different stages of the production and the handling.
A Food Safety Management
System is not just a requirement for large companies because it can be
implemented throughout the food chain. It must be understood that larger
companies are generally not involved in the production of raw material and the
risks of contamination of foodstuff is not limited to the supply chains of the
products. Contamination of foodstuff can happen at any stage and the objective
of the system is not just to prevent such incidences but also to have
safeguards in place to ensure that the entire food chain is managed
effectively. This is probably the best way for organizations and companies to
ensure that they are not exposed to problems of any kind due to the mishandling
of foodstuff during any stage of the production, handling and final delivery to
the customer.
Do companies or organizations, which have been certified by ISO
20,000 or HA CCP, stand to benefit from the extra expenditure, which they are
required to indulge in? This is an issue that has often been raised especially
by entities that believed they had everything in place to carry on activities
without having a Food Safety Management System. This could perhaps be sheer
ignorance on their part because they would have failed to understand the kind
of benefits which would be available to them simply because they decided in
favor of having a safety system which will classify them as a better
organization than the rest.
When companies and organizations do not consider having a Food Safety Management System in place,
they are restricting their business opportunities to their individual localities.
On the other hand having a system in place will open up a whole set of avenues
for them which will assist them to expand their business throughout the country
and even venture out into the international markets. At the same time, they
will also have an opportunity to instill a better sense of confidence among
their clientele simply by having a certificate, which will prove that they
provide adequate attention to the quality of the products, or services, which
they are distributing. Consumers will be pleased to note that they are dealing
with a certified company and purchasing products, which are safe for
consumption. The benefits of having a Food Safety Management System are
manifold and therefore all companies and organizations involved in this business
can benefit immensely simply by following a structured management system.
A Food Safety Management
System may very well be considered as an unwanted hassle, which will only
bring untold miseries on the applicant. However, certain countries have made it
a stipulation, which needs to be followed without exceptions while countless
others are still in the process of developing systems, which are suitable for
them. Regardless of belief, which could be held by companies, food handlers and
retailers, there is a need to understand that the requirement of a Food Safety
Management System is a matter that cannot be ignored and is better implemented
from the very onset.