Applying quality function deployment in food safety management

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a case study conducted to help plan a rollout process for hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) type food safety policies at a frozen pie facility in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Existing company policies were prioritized using a quality function deployment tool, which quantified the qualitative material in the original manual based on a number of developed criteria. Interrelations between the different required tasks were also quantified to facilitate effective implementation.

Findings

The use of quality function deployment was shown to be useful in speeding up the implementation of food safety policies in the facility.

Practical implications

Quality function deployment, originally from new product design, proved useful when applied to HACCP implementation.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the use of product development tools to facilitate the effective introduction of HACCP like procedures. Thus it will be of use to academics and practitioners interested in HACCP implementation.

Citation

Sweet, T., Balakrishnan, J., Robertson, B., Stolee, J. and Karim, S. (2010), "Applying quality function deployment in food safety management", British Food Journal, Vol. 112 No. 6, pp. 624-639. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070701011052718