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1 – 5 of 5Rounaq Nayak and Joanne Zaida Taylor
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges for food inspectors when attempting to assess the food safety culture of a business. It is the eighth article in this issue…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges for food inspectors when attempting to assess the food safety culture of a business. It is the eighth article in this issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, discussing the importance of measuring food safety and quality culture.
Design/methodology/approach
As part of a larger research project, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the current challenges faced by food inspectors in assessing food safety and the future prospects of measuring food safety culture in the UK food system.
Findings
Food inspectors face increasing challenges in their role of assessing not just the visible level of legal compliance but also potential risk within a food business; while aware of the importance of food safety culture, they are unsure how to formally assess it. The UK Food Standards Agency developed a toolkit to assist inspectors in assessing the food safety culture of a business; however, this has been found to be onerous and difficult to implement in practice.
Originality/value
This paper will be of value to practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders involved in the hospitality industry.
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Keywords
Jan Mei Soon-Sinclair, Rounaq Nayak and Louise Manning
The 2008 Chinese melamine milk scandal resulted in six reported fatalities and affected around 300,000 children, of whom 54,000 were hospitalised. Previous studies have used…
Abstract
Purpose
The 2008 Chinese melamine milk scandal resulted in six reported fatalities and affected around 300,000 children, of whom 54,000 were hospitalised. Previous studies have used linear approaches to examine the root causes of the melamine milk scandal.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present study, we applied a systems approach to the melamine milk scandal to identify the complex systems-level failures across the supply chain leading to the incident and why food fraud incidents such as this occurred in the dairy sector. Additionally, systemic failures associated with food fraud vulnerability factors were considered (i.e. opportunities, motivation and control measures).
Findings
48 contributory factors of influence were identified and grouped across six sociotechnical levels across the Chinese dairy system, from government to equipment and surroundings. Lack of vertical integration (processes and communication) contributed to the failure. When viewed from a broader perspective, the melamine milk scandal can be linked to a series of human errors and organisational issues associated with government bodies, the dairy supply chain, individual organisations and management decisions and individual actions of staff or processes.
Practical implications
This approach is of value to policymakers and the industry as it supports public health investigations of food fraud incidents and proactive food safety management.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse a food safety or fraud incident using the AcciMap approach and the food fraud vulnerability assessment (FFVA) technique. AcciMap analysis is applied to both unintentional and intentional aspects of the incident.
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Keywords
Dileyni Diaz De Oleo, Lynn McIntyre, Nicola Randall, Rounaq Nayak and Louise Manning
The hospitality sector underpins the Dominican Republic's (DR) economy but may be a setting where foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) can occur. The purpose of this research is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The hospitality sector underpins the Dominican Republic's (DR) economy but may be a setting where foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) can occur. The purpose of this research is to conduct a systematic mapping exercise on the available scientific literature related to FBDOs in hospitality in the DR and their link to reported food safety and hygienic practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A predefined search protocol applied the principles of PRISMA guidance. Publications (n = 2,793) from databases (e.g. Web of Science, PubMed) were identified and systematically selected for relevance. A full-text assessment based on the inclusion criteria led to the identification of a refined list of studies and academic publications (n = 22) included in this review. The descriptive analysis of the collated data is then presented graphically.
Findings
A low rate of reporting highlights a knowledge gap on FBDOs, the related food safety hazards and how they are mitigated by stakeholders and local health authorities in the DR. Improving government and other stakeholder capacity to report, investigate and understand FBDOs and the practices involved is essential.
Research limitations/implications
The research has implications for Government, businesses and public health officials and managers in the hospitality sector in the DR. A potential research limitation is that the search strategies could miss some relevant articles.
Practical implications
The findings provide a framing for improved risk analysis in implementing food safety management strategies for FBDOs.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic mapping research assessing evidence of FBDOs affecting hospitality in the DR.
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Kevin Kane, Joanne Zaida Taylor and Richard Teare
This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Can the culture of safety and quality in organizations be measured and changed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Can the culture of safety and quality in organizations be measured and changed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.
Findings
This paper draws on a specialist team of researchers and practitioners to examine the extent to which the culture of safety and quality in organizations (with particular reference to food management) can be measured and changed. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that is helping to shape current and future thinking about food safety culture in hospitality organizations and provides practical ways of reviewing and improving it.
Practical implications
The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing.
Originality/value
This theme issue builds on prior work (reported in earlier theme issues) and profiles a well-researched and practical approach to reviewing, measuring and improving the culture of safety and quality in hotel and catering operations.
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