Food safety management systems implementation and certification: survey results

Abstract

The Worldwide food safety management systems implementation and certification had significantly increased during the last few years, thus reflecting the importance that those standards assumed for some activity sectors. Based on the literature review carried out, there is a large number of research projects conducted in this area. However, as Portugal is concern, the nationwide research projects related to ISO 22000 are scarce. Therefore, this paper reflects what we believe to be a pioneering contribution in order to characterize the food safety management systems adoption by the Portuguese companies. In more detail, our aim is to provide fact-based insights, among other, to the following issues: Which are ISO 22000 certification motivations and benefits? Which are ISO 22000 main obstacles, difficulties and drawbacks? What are the benefits and costs directly related to the food management system implementation, certification and maintenance? Which are the food management systems market evolution perspectives? In order to answer to the previous issues our research methodology was based on a survey that was e-mailed to the ISO 22000 Portuguese certified companies.