Status of food safety management activities in fresh produce companies in the European Union and beyond

An increase in food safety incidences linked to fresh produce has been reported in recent years. Imports from the transitional economies have often been blamed for these incidences. However, limited information is available about the status of food safety management activities in companies in these countries and similar companies in the industrialised countries. In this study, the food safety management activities of 118 primary producers located in the EU and non-EU countries is explored. Data was collected using a diagnostic instrument to assess the status of food safety management activities (low, basic, average, advanced), their output (poor, moderate, good), and the riskiness of the context factors (low, moderate, high). Results demonstrated that stringent private standards and a supportive supply chain led to more advanced food safety activities in export oriented companies. However, companies in the local market still struggle with implementing even basic activities. Furthermore, many SMEs in both industrialised and developing countries face challenges with tailoring food safety requirements to their specific organisation.