Quality and food safety issues revealed in certified food companies in three Western Balkans countries

Certification of quality and food safety management system is increasing, with various business drivers that demand third party audits. A survey was undertaken where audit reports and revealed findings (nonconformities and/or improvement opportunities) were analyzed from 123 quality and/or food safety audits performed in 60 food companies. The results showed that QMS audits revealed most of the findings in the management process (21.8%), followed by control (14.5%). Findings related to documentation and control of records increase as the system evolves. Food safety audits showed that the majority of findings are related to managing food safety issues (17.5%) and various aspects of food safety control (15.5%). Further analysis showed that the majority of findings (59.6%) are related to prerequisite programs including GHP requirements. These audits generated twice as much nonconformities than quality management system audits. The survey recognized that in the sampled companies, managing quality and food safety as well as control of quality and food safety represent a problem which should be addressed by most of the companies.