Nikola Tomic

Survival of Campylobacter jejuni on raw chicken legs packed in high-oxygen or high-carbon dioxide atmosphere after the decontamination with lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer.

Quantitative risk assessment studies performed elsewhere showed the importance of reducing counts of Campylobacter jejuni on chicken carcasses for decrease of incidence of human campylobacteriosis. The current study indicated that 1.8 log CFU/g reduction of inoculated C. jejuni (6 log CFU/g) can be achieved by decontamination with lactic acid buffered with sodium lacatate (LA/NaLA, 10% w/v, pH 3.0). Subsequent packaging under modified atmosphere of 80% O(2)/20%N(2) resulted in additional reduction of approximately 1.2 log CFU/g. These results were confirmed in naturally contaminated samples (2-3 log CFU/g) resulting in immediate reduction of present C. jejuni under the limit of enumeration (1 log CFU/g). However, enrichment showed presence of C. jejuni in 10g of sample. Under 80% O(2) LA/NaLA treated C. jejuni remained detectable per 10g until day 7, after which no positive samples were found until the end of the two-weeks storage. Under 80% CO(2) LA/NaLA treated C. jejuni remained fluctuating at 10 CFU/g until the end of two-weeks storage. Control cells were reduced by approx. 1.5 log CFU/g during storage under 80% O(2)/20% N(2), whereas no reduction was observed under 80% CO(2)/20% N(2). The present study showed the potential of buffered lactic acid and high-O(2) MAP to reduce C. jejuni both on inoculated and naturally contaminated samples. The immediate effect of decontamination was further extended by additive, not synergistic, effect of 80% O(2), suggesting the practical value of the tested concept in combating C. jejuni on chicken carcasses.

Quality management effects in certified Serbian companies producing food of animal origin

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the implemented quality management systems (QMSs) based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 in the production/service sector, operating only with food of animal origin. The research covered the analysis of the rationale for the implementation of QMSs, the quality tools used in interviewed food companies and achieved effects and outputs. The survey comprised 59 Serbian food business operators holding ISO 9001 certificates. The obtained results revealed that the implementation of QMSs resulted in the improvement of food conformity in both of its dimensions – food quality and food safety. Results indicated improvements towards customer satisfaction and strengthening of their competitiveness, including an increase in the sales and market share. However, none of the surveyed companies recorded any QMS improvement. Companies confirmed efforts made in product improvement but most of them did not improve their processes or confirm higher levels of effectiveness and efficiency of their systems.

Legislation, standards and diagnostics as a backbone of food safety assurance in Serbia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation of multidimensional food safety assurance in Serbia, as an official candidate for European Union (EU) membership, in relation to its EU food law harmonization efforts. Design/methodology/approach – Serbian assurance scheme was covered in this paper included food safety legislation, control and standards. Findings – The food safety system in Serbia needs improvements in the area of effectiveness and efficiency of food safety control and inspection services, knowledge and expertise of state inspectors, governmental officials, food safety consultants and auditors. Additionally, problems related to the overlapping responsibilities of various legal authorities and inspection services have to be solved, with an improved transparency and communication between legal authorities, customers, consumers and food business operators. Originality/value – An overview of current situation in food safety assurance in Serbia is shown.

Regional Embeddedness Segments Across Fifteen Countries

While segmenting consumers, it is beneficial to understand how emotions and sensory perceptions relate to consumers’ food behavior. In this research, a new measure called the “local embeddedness” (EMB) scale was used to measure the emotional bond with the region among 1,714 respondents from 15 countries. There were two aims of the study: firstly, to examine the effectiveness of the EMB scale in segmenting respondents, and secondly, to profile the EMB segments in terms of socio-demographic variables. Results show that EMB segments consisted of three groups of respondents: 1) strong local supporters, 2) confused disbelievers, and 3) limited knowledge about product origin/trust industry segment.

Quality Dimensions of Intellectual Capital in Serbian Fruit Industry

Abstract The aim of this research was to analyze intellectual capital in Serbian fruit companies with respect to size, fruit sector, and certification status. Representatives from 75 companies were interviewed. Survey data were analyzed through 56 items, grouped into three sub-categories of intellectual capital: human capital, structural capital, and relational capital. This study provides insight into how the fruit industry in a developing country perceives intellectual capital and demonstrates the use of developed models from other industries in the food industry. The novelty of this approach was the dimension reduction of intellectual capital factors into two distinct directions, namely, ‘customer quality’ and ‘stakeholder quality’, confirming quality as a dominant basis for both customers and stakeholders. Micro companies and non-certified companies are focused on customers, while medium-sized and certified companies are focused on satisfying requirements from all stakeholders. This study provides insight for engineering managers engaged in using intellectual capital models in the food/fruit industry. The presented model explores the potential of intellectual capital in determining quality improvement opportunities and improving company performance.

Cross-cultural consumer perceptions of service quality in restaurants

Purpose This paper aims to present results from a research that analyzed consumer perceptions of service quality in restaurants in four European cities – Belgrade (Serbia), Manchester (UK), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Porto (Portugal). Design/methodology/approach A total of 802 respondents have been interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The service quality statements covered food quality, building exterior, restaurant interior and layout, seating comfort, restrooms and servicing. Findings Within all analyzed categories (city, gender and age), servicing of food and taste of food were the most influential factors. However, this study confirmed that there are different patterns in analyzed cities. For each factor analyzed, in at least two cities, results for the items were significantly different. Consumers from different cities showed different perceptions regarding service quality in restaurants. Gender of consumers plays a significant role in the perception of interior, restroom and servicing factors in restaurants. Age of respondents was the category with no significant difference with respect to food quality, layout, restrooms and servicing. Research limitations/implications Given the great cultural and other differences within the four cities/countries, more research is necessary to determine if similar results would be derived from different samples across various other continental and Mediterranean European cities. Originality/value In addition to increasing the theoretical understanding of the cultural aspects of the service quality, this paper can be of managerial relevance.