Advancing Food Safety Regulation: A Globally Applicable Maturity Model

Nayak, Rounaq; Jespersen, Lone; Prince, C; Wilson, A; Wojtala, G

Abstract

The global food safety regulatory landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past two decades. As we approach 2025, the realm of food safety regulation and related research faces a critical juncture. Current research in this domain often focuses on the implementation of regulations and safety management systems, examining their direct impact on public health outcomes. Concurrently, other studies delve into evaluating cultural, climatic, and behavioural shifts within private food entities, assessing their influence on trade. However, it is imperative for all food safety regulatory authorities (FSRAs) to assess their effectiveness, the capacity for continuous improvement, and their ability to optimise processes.
These assessments are crucial as the impact the quality of services rendered, stakeholder confidence, access to international markets through favourable trade agreements, and global food security. In 2022, Nayak & Jespersen identified globally applicable building blocks of mature FSRAs, laying the foundation for a maturity model discussed during a roundtable session at IAFP 2023. This model aims to assess and benchmark the effectiveness of FSRAs worldwide, facilitating ongoing improvement and optimisation.
These building blocks enable regulators to evaluate their growth stage and formulate improvement plans using a self-assessment tool, the maturity model, supported by food safety regulators globally. Over the past year, we’ve developed a maturity model that considers diverse practices adopted by FSRAs, addressing local and global challenges and mitigation strategies for impacts on public health and trade.
While promoting the shared vision of a globally sustainable, safe food supply, the model offers insights into managing conflicting priorities, such as trade versus public health and changing political dynamics within the FSRA domain. The subsequent roundtable session will include panel members from regulatory agencies and industry worldwide to further explore the foundational building blocks’ applicability in navigating the complex factors influencing FSRA operations. This collaborative effort seeks to advance food safety regulation on a global scale, enhancing the safety and security of the global food system.

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 2023 Annual Meeting
• Start Date: Jul 16, 2023
• End Date: Jul 19, 2023
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: Mar 2, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13875050