An Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Skills Requirements of Food Sector SMEs
- Project start date: 1 December 2015
- Project status: Completed
- Project type: Food safety
- Discipline: Microbiology and food hygiene
- Principal researcher/s: Mr Martin Roper, Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA)
Research objective
- Identify the most critical gaps in food safety knowledge and skills within Food Sector SMEs on the island of Ireland.
- Identify the most practical and effective methods by which these gaps can be addressed.
- Establish how Safefood‘s food safety resources and training tools can be improved to meet the future needs of Food Sector SMEs.
Outputs
Research report
- Title: Food safety knowledge and skills among SMEs on the island of Ireland
- Publication date: 4 May 2018
- Summary: Food Sector SMEs are fully aware of the importance of food safety compliance and want to understand and comply with the regulations and requirements. However, this can be hindered by poor food safety knowledge and practice, and difficulties in understanding and implementing the regulatory requirements.
- Findings:
Many food safety training programmes provided for Food Sector SMEs are not suited to their specific needs. These issues were consistently reported across the island of Ireland and highlight the need for better communications within this sector.
- Recommendations:
Elements that need to be better communicated include:
- The importance of creating a food safety culture within a business.
- Knowing the exact food safety requirements for a Food Sector SME’s specific business environment (including size and type).
- Food Sector SMEs knowing exactly where to get relevant information.
- Food Sector SME’s access to easy-to-understand training materials in plain English and pictorial format.
- The provision of training in a suitable format and at suitable times and locations.
- Food Sector SMEs fully understanding the regulatory requirements.
- Embedding of food safety into the business culture.
You can download the report below.
