Food safety management system performance in the lamb chain

This study describes a performance measurement of implemented food safety management system (FSMS) along the lamb chain using an FSMS-diagnostic instrument (FSMS-DI) and a Microbiological Assessment Scheme (MAS). Three slaughterhouses, 1 processing plant and 5 butcher shops were evaluated. All the actors along the lamb chain achieved a moderate risky contextual situation, operating in a basic-average FSMS, which was not enough to obtain a good food safety output. Different suggestions are advised for each actor along the lamb chain for improvements towards higher FSMS activity levels or lower risk levels in context characteristics. The combined assessment is a useful tool to identify the possible causes of poor food safety performance in the lamb chain using few sampling locations, saving time and money.

► We assess the food safety management system (FSMS) along the lamb chain. ► Microbiological Assessment Scheme and FSMS-diagnostic instrument were used. ► Their combined use provided insight in insufficient performance. ► These tools also indicated directions for improvements. ► The slaughterhouses are the main bottleneck.