A new role for ISO 9000 in the food industry? Indicative data from the UK and mainland Europe

Abstract

Traditional criticisms of the ISO 9000 standards, that they are generic, procedurally‐oriented, expensive and burdensome, are particularly applicable within the food industry. Their lack of fit with industry priorities and requirements, moreover, has created a growth in uptake of alternative “bespoke” standards in the UK, designed to better meet the needs of the industry and demands of the retail customer. The year 2000 revision of ISO 9000 may serve to redefine the role of this standard in the food industry, whereby it can augment such standards and provide a template for Business Excellence. This paper presents an analysis of industry trends in relation to quality standards, and discusses the potential role of ISO 9000:2000 within this sector based upon published data from ISO, industry survey data, and interviews with a major UK food certification body and with technical managers from food companies in the UK and overseas. Implications of such trends are presented in relation to the auditing of UK companies.

Citation

Grigg, N.P. and McAlinden, C. (2001), "A new role for ISO 9000 in the food industry? Indicative data from the UK and mainland Europe", British Food Journal, Vol. 103 No. 9, pp. 644-656. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700110407003