| In recent years, food safety has increasingly | | | | In 1998, the British Retail Consortium launched its |
| become an important issue to consumers. This is | | | | BRC Global Standard for Food Safety to provide |
| largely due to the food safety scandals that have | | | | a standard for due diligence and supplier approval. |
| been covered by the press in a number of | | | | Companies supplying food to UK retailers are |
| countries. Over the last decade, China in particular, | | | | unlikely to retain business unless they comply with |
| has been at the center of a number of food | | | | the BRC. This is regardless of where the supplier |
| safety scandals. In 2004, it was reported that 13 | | | | is based or where the product originates. The |
| babies died of malnourishment in coastal Fujian | | | | BRC was the first standard in the world to |
| province after being fed formula with little or no | | | | approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative. |
| nutritional value. In 2008, at least six infants died | | | | However, it was not until the recent publication of |
| and some 300,000 were sickened after | | | | international food safety management system |
| consuming milk made from powder contaminated | | | | ISO 22000 in 2005, that there was a single |
| with melamine, a chemical used in making plastics. | | | | standard covering the entire food supply chain. |
| The Chinese government has since been forced | | | | ISO 22000 is an internationally recognized food |
| to implement stricter regulation controls in order | | | | safety management system that is based on the |
| to restore the public's confidence. Consumers in | | | | Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. It is |
| other countries were particularly concerned that | | | | effective in providing a logical and efficient |
| China effectively maintains the safety of its food | | | | framework through which food hazards can be |
| supply as Chinese ingredients end up in foodstuffs | | | | identified, controlled and most importantly |
| around the world. Between 2004 and 2007, | | | | prevented. |
| Chinese food exports climbed about 63% | | | | Although ISO 22000 has been adopted by many |
| Under new Chinese regulations, companies that | | | | major branded food companies, such as Nestle, |
| produce substandard products will face higher | | | | and Danone, the standard has not been taken up |
| fines. Those who engage in illegal conduct will face | | | | to the extent that it was predicted. This is due to |
| tougher punishments, and companies will be held | | | | its certain limitations. For instance, it has often |
| accountable for any harm they cause consumers. | | | | been criticized for not being specific enough to |
| Elsewhere, steady progress has been made by | | | | meet stakeholder needs. |
| the food industry to tackle these food safety | | | | Despite its limitations, there has been steady |
| scandals. Concern over potential risks in the food | | | | progress in companies around the world obtaining |
| supply chain prompted the creation of a number | | | | the ISO 22000 certification. An informal survey |
| of early food safety sector initiatives and | | | | carried out in 2008 revealed that the ISO 22000 |
| standards, including the HACCP. The HACCP is | | | | had been implemented in at least 72 countries. A |
| recognized internationally as a way of managing | | | | few years on and Biscuits maker Munchy Food |
| critical risks to food safety. It is based on seven | | | | Industries Sdn Bhd is planning to enter the |
| essential principles and it allows for hazard | | | | European market this year after obtaining the ISO |
| identification to verification of successful | | | | 22000 certification late last year. Similarly, Siniora |
| implementation of the necessary controls. The | | | | Food Industries, a Jordanian-based company has |
| majority of the food standards have adopted | | | | gained the ISO 22000 certification, as well as Al |
| these principles in order to protect consumers | | | | Ain Farms for Livestock Production, a dairy farm |
| against the most serious health risks. | | | | in the UAE. |