An insight into Food Safety Culture versus Food Safety

Preamble 

We were delighted to welcome Professor JR Lues, a renowned expert in Food Safety and Director of the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology at the Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa, along with his team of academics, coordinators, and postgraduate students to the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius from 2-8 October 2024.

During their visit, they had a courtesy meeting with our Vice-Chancellor, Professor S K Sobhee, and Prof Lues delivered an insightful talk on 'Food Safety Culture' to UoM staff and students. This was a great opportunity for knowledge sharing and collaboration, especially through interactions with the postgraduate students from CUT. The visit was coordinated by Mrs Goburdhun Daya, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture.

Introduction

This post summarised the key points of the presentation on food safety culture. It delves into the core differences between compliance and a genuine food safety culture, emphasizing the human factor.

Part 1: The Importance of Food Safety Culture

1.1 Defining Food Safety Culture

• Food Safety: Adhering to laws, regulations, and procedures to prevent foodborne illnesses. Think checklists and inspections.
• Food Safety Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and norms influencing food safety behaviour. It's about "doing the right thing even when no one is watching," like Sam removing a glass shard despite being off-duty.

1.2 Beyond Compliance

Compliance alone is insufficient. The Tiger Brands listeriosis outbreak, despite full compliance, proves this. Bacteria exploit cultural lapses, not paperwork.

1.3 The Human Factor

Human error is a major risk factor. Focusing on attitudes, behaviours, and shared responsibility, like addressing an open manhole even if it's not "your job," is critical.

1.4 Legal Ramifications

Modern laws emphasize "duty of care." Companies are judged on proactive safety measures, not just ticking boxes.

 

Part 2: Culture as a Driver of Behaviour

2.1 Beyond Carrots and Sticks

Over-reliance on rewards and punishments can be demotivating. Intrinsic motivation, where employees internalize food safety values, is key.

2.2 Culture Eats Strategy

As Peter Drucker said, a strong culture trumps even the best strategies. Investing in culture is investing in sustainable food safety.

2.3 Everyone's Mission

Food safety is everyone's responsibility, from the CEO to the janitor. Like the NASA janitor said, "I'm helping put a man on the moon."

Assoc Prof J.Govinden Soulange, our new Dean of the Faculty, presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Lues

 Part 3: Implementation and Measurement

3.1 Scope and Models

Debate exists on whether culture is separate from or encompasses compliance. The Griffith and Janus Models provide frameworks for understanding and building culture.

3.2 Food Safety Culture as Science

It's evolving into a recognized discipline, with dedicated research and industry standards like FSSC 22000 mandating cultural assessments.

3.3 Measuring the Unmeasurable

Assessing culture requires new skills for food scientists, moving beyond lab data to understand human behaviour through surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

3.4 Ethical Considerations

Anonymity, confidentiality, and voluntary participation are crucial for ethical assessments that maintain trust.

Part 4: Interpreting Data and Overcoming Challenges

4.1 Data Interpretation

Qualitative and quantitative data must be analysed together. Avoiding misinterpretations, like overreacting to isolated comments without context, is crucial.

4.2 Leadership's Pivotal Role

Leaders must actively champion food safety, setting the tone and taking accountability during crises, as exemplified by Maple Leaf Foods' CEO.

4.3 A Multifaceted Approach

Improving culture requires reinforcing values, leveraging symbols (like "Food Safety Champion" T-shirts), engaging employees, and communicating effectively across cultures.

4.4 Cultural Sensitivity

Consultants and organizations must be culturally aware, especially in diverse environments, to ensure messaging resonates and assessments are accurate.

4.5 Auditing the Intangible

Auditing culture differs from auditing systems. It requires specialized training to assess human behaviour and identify areas for improvement.

Why Policies Weren't Enough for one Company

This company  case highlights how even with policies in place, a lack of genuine cultural integration can lead to disaster. Factors include:

• Disconnect Between Policy and Practice: Procedures might exist but not be consistently followed.
• Human Error and Negligence: Complacency or lack of understanding can lead to unintentional mistakes.
• Lack of Empowerment: Employees may not feel empowered to speak up or deviate from rigid protocols, even when necessary.
• Communication Gaps: Information silos and poor communication can hinder risk identification and response.

Examples of Strong Food Safety Cultures

1. JBS USA: CEO-led transformation with investment, communication, and clear expectations, demonstrating leadership commitment.
2. Nestlé: Food safety as a core value, integrated into their Quality Management System and consistently communicated globally.
3. Starbucks: "My Starbucks Idea" platform empowers employee contributions and feedback, fostering engagement.
4. McDonald's: "Hamburger University" demonstrates comprehensive and standardized training for consistent practices.
5. Ahold Delhaize USA: Empowering employees to conduct proactive audits exemplifies a culture of shared responsibility.
6. Tesco: Regular assessments and data-driven improvements showcase continuous improvement in action.
7. Danone: Food safety enshrined in their Manifesto for Sustainable Business, demonstrating value integration.
8. SPAR: "I'm a Food Safety Champion" T-shirts highlight the effective use of artefacts and symbols.
9. Johnson & Johnson (Tylenol): Their ethical response to the tampering crisis set the gold standard for consumer safety prioritization.
10. Whole Foods Market: Team-based accountability demonstrates collective responsibility in practice.
11. Wegmans: Exceeding regulatory requirements exemplifies a proactive approach and commitment beyond compliance.
12. Blue Bell Creameries: The CEO's accountability during the listeria outbreak showcases crisis leadership.

Conclusion

The talk highlighted that building a strong food safety culture is an ongoing journey, requires commitment from all levels. By understanding the key components, learning from real-world examples, and fostering a proactive, ethically grounded environment, organizations can safeguard consumers, enhance their reputation, and achieve sustainable success.