The importance of Food Safety Culture

A business with a strong food safety culture demonstrates to its employees and customers that making safe food is an important commitment, not just something to be discussed at a weekly meeting.

In a business with a good food safety culture:

  • Food Handlers know what is expected of them and how to do their job properly
  • Food Handlers follow proper procedures, even if it’s more difficult or no one is watching
  • Management makes decisions based on food safety and not just the bottom line
  • Food Handlers are engaged and encouraged to report food safety concerns to management

In a business with a negative food safety culture (or a food safety culture that needs work), you may notice:

  • Management fails to monitor or correct risky behaviors or poor personal hygiene
  • Food Handlers show a lack of interest in personal hygiene, particularly when it comes to hand washing
  • Food Handlers don’t always know the right thing to do and don’t feel comfortable asking
  • Management only demonstrates a commitment to food safety if it is convenient and doesn’t affect the bottom line

Your business doesn’t run on a set of rules and procedures — though you certainly need those as well — it’s run by people. Your people: the Food Handlers, managers, supervisors, and other employees who work in and make decisions that impact the business every day.

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