Scholarly record

THE IMPACT OF THE ISO 22000: 2005 STANDARD ON FOOD SAFETY IN THE ROMANIAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

A. Mazarel, C. M. Canja, M. I. Lupu, V. Padureanu

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a quantitative research, based on a questionnaire, study of the opinion of the hospitality industry organizations in Romania regarding the necessity to develop a food safety management system (SMSA), designed according to the requirements of the international ISO standards, and the continuation of the investments for the implementation and its certification. After a decade of applicability of the ISO 22000: 2005 standard, there was a remarkable success in Romania regarding the evolution of the number of certifications, the most dynamic sector being the processing of agro-industrial food. In the hospitality sector, outlined as the last "link of the food chain", international franchise business has been noted, to which business management systems have integrated elements of food safety management. The other hospitality operators treat food safety from "simple intentions" imposed by legislative regulations to integrated management systems, based on international ISO referentions. From the experimental study, there was still a reluctance to implement / certify the food safety management systems. Of the respondents, 8% have a certified integrated management system and 9% have only a certified food safety management system. The research provides a clear picture of each segment of the hospitality industry with regard to the state of implementation of food safety rules, refusals of international referral requirements, and investment aspects that could provide a better recognition of SMSA certification. The findings of the study outline the reasons for managers' decisions to certify food safety management systems, which were the impediments to implementation and the achievement of objectives, and what recommendations could be translated into the first revision of the standard. Planning a new edition of the ISO 22000 standard is seen by many specialists as a major force in improving processes to excellence. It should introduce common elements to other ISO standards, use easy terminology, and provide greater flexibility to integrate the food safety management system into the global business strategy.

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