Food safety culture is a modern term for food safety. It is challenging to define it for organizations with their respective requirements of food safety culture. Dr. Joanne Taylor developed the modern term food safety culture in the Food Safety Culture Excellence Model. Dr. Taylor defined food safety culture as the “prevailing attitudes, values, and practices related to food safety that are taught, directly and indirectly, to new employees”. 

Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and BRCGS have similar definitions. The GFSI outlines food safety culture as “shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mindset and behavior toward food safety in, across and throughout an organization.” On the other hand, BRCGS delivers a definition of the culture as – “The attitudes, values, and/or beliefs which are prevalent at the site, relating to the importance of product safety, and the confidence in the product safety systems, processes and procedures used by the site.” 

One can notice the similarities among these definitions. But food safety culture is more than these definitions. It is developed with multiple aspects that are all equally important. Food safety culture is a culture of a business or workplace focusing on all vital aspects of food safety. It demonstrates the ideal standards of safety for all members of staff.

Essentiality of food safety

Anyone related to the food-based business can recognize the essentiality of food safety and its role within the organization. It is convenient to display and remind the staff to uphold the ideal practices and procedures with the updated food safety culture. It is a straightforward task to monitor compliance with the due diligence checklists. BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 has elaborated on the concept of food safety culture. It is an indispensable choice for senior management to exhibit a commitment level. It also promotes continuous improvement of food safety culture within an organization during a professional certification or internal audit. Companies with an enhanced opportunity for business can market their food safety culture and get it assessed, during the on-site food safety audit. 

Boosting the practices of a food safety culture in an organization or business can augment the scope of training on food safety practices for staff. In the long run, it generates benefits such as optimal compliance, zero legal issues and premium safety standards throughout the business, and an engaged workforce.

Understanding from the organization’s perspective

A well-defined food safety culture will assist the organization score high. One can always be prepared for an unplanned and unannounced audit with a well-defined food safety culture. The significance of food safety leads to fewer costly recalls. In the long run, it impacts the profit and saves the business from potentially brand-damaging food safety accidents. One can avoid loopholes and unprofessional behavior that may result in unsafe food. One can save resources to minimize the expense and manage better. From product recalls, food wastage, legal fees, and damaged reputation – find suitable solutions with the food safety culture. All these are incentives for an organization to implement an excellent food safety culture.

Apart from these, food safety culture helps employees feel engaged with their work. Better awareness and knowledge act as bonus pointers for them to act in accordance with the organization’s values and principles. It helps in aligning the staff and makes them better workers and ambassadors for the business in the long run. Food safety culture enhances staff engagement and retention. A company with a mature food safety culture, exhibits a uniform policy about everything in the business, including GMP or Good Manufacturing Practices, leading to business success. 

About BRCGS – Get an overall idea.

BRCGS stands for British Retail Consortium Global Standards. BRCGS was established in 1996 and it was in this year that BRC published the first standard, BRC Food Technical Standard. BRCGS is led by the LGC group, a global life sciences measurement and testing company. BRCGS is a leading global brand essential to strengthen a business. The objective of BRCGS is to promote food safety, for food and non-food industrial categories.

The purpose of BRCGS is to implement ideas and proven practices, assure quality, and develop confidence in the supply chain. BRCGS was created by retailers and incorporated by businesses across industries. Simply put, the BRCGS norms ensure product safety and quality and simultaneously safeguard the business from facing any charges by the enforcement authorities.

Features that improve the food safety

The BRCGS is critical for – 

1. Food safety
2. Packaging material
3. Material storage and distribution
4. Industrial agents and brokers, retail, and consumer products

Businesses following standard and reliable manufacturing practices can assure their vendors and customers about the safety of their manufactured products. BRCGS certification exhibits that the products are safe, legal, and of premium quality. Here are some stats to prove the point –

1. 70% of the top global retailers accept BRCGS.
2. 50% of the top 25 global manufacturers specify or have the BRCGS certification.
3. 60% of the top 10 global quick-service restaurants follow the BRCGS.

BRCGS is a benchmark practice in the food industry across the globe. A lot depends on its acceptance at the global level. BRCGS empowers organizations and brands in the food industry to expand across the globe meeting the ideal quality standards.

BRCGS offers a structured framework helping you ensure and maintain product safety, integrity, legal compliance, and quality. It streamlines the management of operational activities, including food ingredient manufacturing, processing, packaging materials, etc.

Summing the benefits

1. BRCGS saves cost and time by offering a single audit report recognized by many.
2. It helps reduce product complaints, returns, and rejections.
3. Implement the ideal framework and obtain international recognition and credibility.
4. Enjoy a comprehensive scope to meet quality, hygiene, and product safety.
5. Satisfy customer requirements, while assessing and approving suppliers.
6. Follow a well-defined framework for the development of hygienic and safe management systems.
7. Boost and promote the company culture to secure continuous improvement, waste reduction, and increased efficiency.

Comply with the food safety norms.

With the ever-evolving significance of food safety and the expansion of food and packaging industries at a global level, food safety is an indispensable topic. It is a concerning issue in the current times. Food safety culture is also vital for the ones venturing into the food supply chain, manufacturing, and packaging industry. Ensure customer safety and protect brand reputation with a prudent choice. Get the BRCGS certification with the apt steps.