Radomir Radovanovic

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.

Types of food control and application of seven basic quality tools in certified food companies in Serbia

Types of control and application of basic quality tools in the food industry have been analysed in 49 certified food companies in Serbia. The results showed that all sampled companies have some type of incoming and final control, while a third of the sampled companies do not have any process control. Analysis of control also showed that there was an independent control sector in 34.7% of the sampled companies while 40.8% of the companies have their own plant laboratories. One or two quality tools are being used by 63.27% of sampled companies while less than 13% use more than 4 tools. Companies mostly use flow charts (98.0%), followed by check sheets (75.5%) and histograms (32.7%). Other quality tools are used in below 10% of sampled companies, with the average number of 2.5 quality tools used per company. The strongest business drivers are the customers, confirmed by correlation analysis showing high correlation between companies having control as a sector and the ones performing external analysis beyond ...

Food Safety: The Global Problem as a Challenge for Future Initiatives and Activities

Food is output of numerous and different activities inside very long and complexive “food/nutrition chain” and crucially relates to three important aspects. This aspects, being safety, quality and security, represent a basic right of every human. Namely, last few decades mankind has several very important global problems and among them, certainly, is one of specified aspects – FOOD SAFETY. Why? Because foodborne, as well as waterborne diseases, are major cause of illness and death all around the World. In fact, they are the leading causes of health problems and deaths in developing countries, killing approximately more than three million people annually, most of whom are children. However, food safety problems and diseases are not limited to one geographic region, political or social part of the world, but in different forms and shapes remain overall present. More than 9,000 deaths in the USA, due to food- and waterborne diseases, are certainly a strong indicator that the food safety is an issue in developed part of the world, as well. Thus, it is not surprising that in highly industrialized countries, such as USA, Australia and EU members for example, percentage of people suffering from different issue of unsafe food has been reported to be up to 30% (WHO 2003). Having in a mind recent trends in global food production, processing, storage, distribution and retail, our state is that global problems with food safety is great challenge for the future initiatives, activities and strengthen comprehensive measures in all parts of “food/nutrition chain”. Also, this will be a right reaction and clear reply on more and more stronger market and customer’s demands – all in order to improve global food safety situation. So, the scope of this paper is to present and discuss some available data (facts) according to actual food safety situation (problems), as well as to suggest some initiatives, activities and measures that possibly can ensure a safer global food supply – safeguarding consumer health worldwide.