Variability in Food Safety Management: Insights from Vietnam's Seafood Processing Sector

The maturity of food safety management systems in Vietnam's seafood processing industry shows significant variability, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement to meet international standards. Compliance with multiple certifications and physical intervention systems positively impacted food safety performance, while company size, location, and certification level showed no significant influence on FSMS maturity.

A study published in the Journal of Food Protection by researchers from Ghent University's Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health and Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, investigates the state of food safety management systems (FSMS) in Vietnam's seafood sector. Given that seafood accounts for 59% of Vietnam's food safety issues, this study is crucial. It uses a diagnostic instrument to assess FSMS maturity in 11 seafood processing companies around Ho Chi Minh City, identifying gaps and potential improvements. Vietnam's seafood exports are increasing, with major markets in South Korea, Europe, Japan, China, and the United States. Despite being a top exporter, Vietnam faces significant challenges in meeting international food safety standards, leading to numerous export rejections.

The study uses hierarchical cluster analysis and nonparametric statistical tests to analyze FSMS maturity, revealing variability among companies. The analysis shows two clusters: Cluster I with lower maturity and Cluster II with higher maturity in control and assurance activities. Most companies operate in a moderate-risk context, and control activities like cooling facilities and measuring equipment performance are generally advanced, while packaging intervention equipment is less mature. Assurance activities, such as record-keeping systems, show average maturity, and food safety performance varies from average to good across companies. Statistical analysis indicates that company size, location, and certification level do not significantly influence FSMS maturity. However, compliance with multiple food safety standards and physical intervention systems positively impacts food safety performance.

Vietnam’s Seafood Industry: A Double-Edged Sword

The study found that although Vietnam is known for being one of the world's top exporters of seafood products, with fish and shrimp being the main exported items, the country still experiences export rejections due to failures in meeting food safety and quality standards. The maturity of FSMS was assessed using a diagnostic instrument developed by Luning, Marcelis, and Jacxsens, which includes 58 indicators classified across four main subjects: context riskiness, control activities, assurance activities, and food safety performance. The context riskiness evaluates structural elements affecting decision-making activities in FSMS, control activities aim to keep product and process conditions within acceptable safety limits, assurance activities set system requirements and evaluate system performance, and food safety performance is based on external and internal indicators validated to microbiological food safety parameters.

Maturity Levels Vary Widely Among Companies

The study revealed that the context riskiness of the participating companies was mostly moderate, with the exception of one company operating in a moderate to high-risk situation. The maturity of control activities varied, with some companies having advanced levels in areas such as cooling facilities and measuring equipment performance, while others had basic or absent levels in packaging intervention equipment. The assurance activities also showed variability, with record-keeping systems being at an average level across all companies, but other indicators like validation of preventive measures being less mature. The food safety performance of the companies fluctuated between average and good, with most indicators rated as advanced, except for judgement criteria for microbiological results and hygiene and pathogen nonconformities.

Clusters Reveal Differences in FSMS Maturity

The hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the companies into two clusters based on their FSMS maturity. Cluster I, comprising six companies, had lower maturity in control and assurance activities compared to Cluster II, which included five companies. Both clusters operated under moderate context riskiness and had average to good food safety performance. The study found that compliance with multiple food safety standards and the presence of physical intervention systems had a positive influence on food safety performance, although they did not significantly impact the maturity of control and assurance activities. The findings suggest that companies with multiple certifications are more likely to have higher levels of FSMS activities tailored to their specific circumstances, resulting in better food safety performance.

Emphasizing Continuous Improvement

The study highlights the importance of improving FSMS activities to address food safety issues and achieve better outcomes. It suggests that focusing on enhancing control and assurance activities is more manageable than reducing context riskiness, as context factors are structural elements that cannot be easily changed. The study also emphasizes the need for continuous improvement in FSMS activities, particularly in areas that have not reached advanced levels, to effectively deal with ambiguity, uncertainty, and vulnerability in the food safety context. By doing so, companies can ensure better food safety performance and reduce the risk of foodborne diseases, ultimately increasing consumer trust.

Broader Implications and Future Research

The research provides valuable insights into the maturity of FSMS in the Vietnamese seafood processing industry and underscores the need for further research in other regions of Vietnam to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry's overall FSMS maturity. Additionally, exploring a comparative analysis between multiple countries in Asia and other continents could offer valuable insights into the similarities and differences in FSMS, fostering cross-cultural learning and potential improvements in food safety practices globally. The study's findings contribute to the advancement of food safety knowledge and practices, highlighting the critical role of FSMS in ensuring the production of safe food and maintaining the competitiveness of Vietnam's seafood industry in the global market.