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J. G. SURAK, Dept. of Applied Economics & Statistics, Clemson Univ., 224 Barre Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-0313 and P. Berry Ottaway, Berry Ottaway & Associates Ltd., 1a Fields Yard, Plough Ln., Hereford, HR4 0EL, England. To be successful in today's global marketplace, food processors must produce products that meet or exceed customer needs. However, problems such as the following occur in developing a global quality or food safety strategy: (1) multinational food processors need to manage operations in a consistent manner, which typically means developing a single food quality and food safety system that meets customer and regulatory requirements around the world; (2) food processors who export products need to ensure that food quality and food safety meets or exceeds minimal customer requirements in the importing countries. As a result, numerous organizations are developing various standards or manufacturing guidelines. Each of these organizations has elements in common; however, there are specific differences in the standards that each develop. There are three major groups involved in the development of these standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commission develops standards to facilitate international trade in food, and member nations are represented to Codex by the country's governmental agencies that regulate the production of food. Codex standards define the minimal requirements to protect human health. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) also develops standards to facilitate international trade. The member nations of ISO are represented by the country's standards development organization. Recently, trade groups have been developing standards or manufacturing guidelines. These standards are not developed to facilitate international trade; however, they can be developed by a small number of companies to meet their purchasing requirements. Standards are critical tools in buying and selling food in the international marketplace. These standards provide a common working definition between the buyers and suppliers. Food processors must recognize that just meeting a standard is not a guarantee that a customer will purchase a product. If a company wants to be successful in the global marketplace, it must develop products that meet or exceed the customers' requirements, and this may mean producing products that exceed international standards.
Session 27, Global harmonization of legislation of food products and processes
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |