An analysis of food safety management systems certification: the Portuguese case
The worldwide food safety management systems implementation and certification has significantly increased during the last few years, thus reflecting the importance that those standards has assumed in some activity sectors. Based on the literature reviews carried out up to now, we can infer that there is a large number of research projects related to this area. However, the nationwide research projects related to ISO 22000 are scarce as far as Portugal is concerned. Therefore, this paper reflects what we believe to be a pioneering contribution in order to characterize the adoption of food safety management systems by the Portuguese companies. In more detail, our aim is to provide fact-based insights, among others, into 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 perspectives in the evolution of the food management systems market ? In order to answer to the previous issues, our research methodology was based on a survey that was e-mailed to ISO 22000 Portuguese certified companies. Key words: ISO 22000; food safety management systems; survey.
