Assessing the Food Safety and Quality Assurance System during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to develop and test a methodological approach to assess the system of food quality and safety in the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the study objectives, a multi-country research project was implemented with 425 enterprises from Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Belarus. The application of the developed methodological approach resulted in comparable assessments of the various criteria of the food safety and quality assurance system in supply chains. This makes it possible to implement continuous monitoring of the state of the food safety and quality assurance system in the enterprises. In addition, the study identified critical weaknesses in the safety system, including a very low level of assessment by enterprises of the impact of WHO advisory protocols. This greatly increases the risks associated with food safety in the COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent action is required to increase the confidence of food supply chain actors in WHO recommendations and national food safety and quality protocols. The conducted assessments showed that a significant proportion of enterprises did not implement a food safety system. One out of five of the respondents claimed to have implemented safety systems at an enterprise in accordance with the standards recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative. Only 2% declared the introduction of HACCP at an enterprise, which is logical given the high mistrust of WHO recommendations. The proposed approach can be used in the real sector of the economy to monitor the food safety and quality assurance system in the supply chain at the regional, sectoral and national levels.

Determinants for food service market segmentation and contemporary consumers’ behaviours amid the Covid-19 pandemic

“…, 2021; Núñez-Fernández et al. , 2021; Wang, 2022). Their decisions affect the environment in which they live, whereas changes in purchasers’ behaviours are the most powerful factor in determining the operations of contemporary enterprises and this has a bearing on their marketing strategies (Spáčil and Teichmannová, 2016; Czarniecka-Skubina et al.…”

“…To satisfy the needs identified, consumers make specific purchasing decisions, exhibiting certain behaviours in this process, which determine not only the manner in which they function, but also the way in which entire households operate (Cruz-C ardenas et al, 2021; Ellison et al, 2021;N uñez-Fern andez et al, 2021;Wang, 2022). Their decisions affect the environment in which they live, whereas changes in purchasers' behaviours are the most powerful factor in determining the operations of contemporary enterprises and this has a bearing on their marketing strategies (Sp a cil and Teichmannov a, 2016; Czarniecka-Skubina et al, 2021).…”

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Supply Chain and the Role of E-Commerce for Food Purchasing

“…Considering the facts that numerous industries rely on vital supplies, most of these are highly sensitive to shortfalls, as their supply must come from domestic markets. Highvalue goods are additionally affected through logistical constraints that influence food supply platforms because of their short shelf life [25]. As a consequence, the food industry's logistic efficacy is crucial, especially during the above-mentioned global challenges.…”

Uncovering Readiness Factors Influencing the Lean Six Sigma Pre-Implementation Phase in the Food Industry

“…The respondents also stated that the top management should act as an agent and create a real sense of urgency by seizing opportunities, avoiding hazards, and shedding low priorities in order to operate smoothly, which would then widen the perception and parameters of food quality in the food sector [8,50,51]. The food industry prioritises product safety due to its primary concerns: food poisoning and microbiological outbreaks [52].…”