Quality Management In Food Chains

This publication comprises material on recent studies on quality management in agri-food chains. Due to several food crisis’s (e.g. BSE, Foot-and-Mouth disease) and growing demands for food quality and safety, quality management systems and quality assurance schemes have been widely adopted in different countries in recent years. Scientific knowledge about the features, the acceptance and the effectiveness and efficiency of these newly introduced quality management initiatives, has remained scarce until now. The material by experts in the field, focuses on the evaluation of quality management systems and quality assurance schemes. The main issues are the costs and benefits of quality management given the influence of the public sector and consumers' expectations about food quality and safety. Not only are benchmarking and harmonisation methods examined with regard to their impact on the effectiveness of quality assurance schemes, but, also the role of trust, cooperation and integration for efficient quality management is discussed. Different economic theories such as microeconomics, organization and marketing theory as well as advanced statistical methods are applied. Concepts are discussed from the various points of view of industrialised, export-oriented and developing countries throughout the book. The information in this book give a comprehensive review of quality management concepts in food chains and highlight future research directions from a global perspective. This book is of interest to all those who concern themselves with the topic, be it in academia or in the professional sector.

This publication comprises material on recent studies on quality management in agri-food chains. Due to several food crisis's (e.g. BSE, Foot-and-Mouth disease) and growing demands for food quality and safety, quality management systems and quality assurance schemes have been widely adopted in different countries in recent years. Scientific knowledge about the features, the acceptance and the effectiveness and efficiency of these newly introduced quality management initiatives, has remained scarce until now. The material by experts in the field, focuses on the evaluation of quality management systems and quality assurance schemes. The main issues are the costs and benefits of quality management given the influence of the public sector and consumers' expectations about food quality and safety. Not only are benchmarking and harmonisation methods examined with regard to their impact on the effectiveness of quality assurance schemes, but, also the role of trust, cooperation and integration for efficient quality management is discussed. Different economic theories such as microeconomics, organization and marketing theory as well as advanced statistical methods are applied. Concepts are discussed from the various points of view of industrialised, export-oriented and developing countries throughout the book,.The information in this book give a comprehensive review of quality management concepts in food chains and highlight future research directions from a global perspective. This book is of interest to all those who concern themselves with the topic, be it in academia or in the professional sector.

"International supply chains of vulnerable tropical food products face major problems in the fields of quality performance and coordination between supply chain partners. Degradation and variability of quality, segmentation of supply networks and scattered production by smallholder producers could severely hinder reliable deliveries at required standards. Concerted efforts for improving governance regimes and management practices are required to enhance supply chain performance. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the interfaces between market outlet choice, supply chain governance, quality management and value added distribution. Main attention is given to better incentives and transparency in contracts and bargaining procedures that could contribute to reduced transaction costs and risk, as well as techno-managerial strategies for improving both quality and value added. The editors present an integrated interdisciplinary framework for the simultaneous analysis of technical, managerial and socio-economic dimensions of international supply chain originating in developing countries. Selected case studies based on extensive field research highlight in Costa Rica (mango and pepper), Ivory Coast (pineapples), Kenya (fish), Ethiopia (dairy), Ghana (cocoa), India (cashew) and China (vegetables and pork) provide detailed insights in different options for enhancing integrated quality management and supply chain coordination. Professionals and practioners involved in the design, management and assessment of (inter)national supply chains for tropical products will particularly benefit from this unique collection."

Also available as E-book see food-quality-management For more information about the e-book, please contact Sales. Consumer understanding of food quality is crucial as their concerns for healthy, safe and sustainable food production remain high. This forces actors and stakeholders in the agribusiness and food industry to use quality management as a strategic approach in production and innovation. This book describes Food Quality Management (FQM) in one integrated concept. Firstly, all relevant aspects of food quality management are combined into one FQM-function model, which shaped the structure of the book chapters. Secondly, the authors have embedded the techno-managerial approach in the book. This approach starts with the notion that food quality is the outcome of the combined effect of food behaviour and human behaviour. The core principle of this approach is the concurrent use of technological and managerial theories and models to analyse food systems behaviour and people's quality behaviour and generate adequate improvements to the system. Topics covered in the book include food quality properties and concepts, essentials of quality management and food technology, and details about food and human behaviour. Furthermore, this book describes in detail the technological and managerial principles and practices in the five FQM functions, quality design, quality control, quality improvement, quality assurance, and quality policy and strategy. Moreover, for each function a special topic relevant for the function is highlighted, namely consumer-oriented design, product versus resource control, quality gurus and improvement, quality assurance standards and guidelines (like GMP, HACCP, ISO2200, IFS and BRC), and Total Quality Management. This publication is a must-have for students, researchers and agribusiness and food industry professionals active in various areas of food production in the supply chain. The integrated approach with technological and managerial principles and concepts for analysing food quality management issues makes this a valuable reference book.

Food safety and quality is a matter of international significance and a responsibility of food processors and governments in the global food supply chain. Technological interventions in food quality analysis and safety detection are advancing at tremendous rates. A comprehensive documentation to create awareness, to implement strategies and to fill up the void in research and development in safety of foods of plant and animal origin is a long standing demand of scientific and industrial communities. In this context, it is essential that the current procedures and protocols in the areas of safety and quality analysis/detection be made available in an easy to read format for the benefit of the students, analysts and researchers. The disciplinary background of the contributors range from Food Engineering, Post-harvest Technology, Food technology, Food Microbiology, Meat Technology, Veterinary Public health, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Food Packaging and Quality management, to Community science. It covers the most common and new techniques in safety and quality analysis while addressing the relevant food safety and quality issues. Besides compiling the safety aspects of various food products viz: cereals, fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, fish, water, bakery and confectionery, this book also documents the rules, regulation and certification associated with food industry. We are sure this book will be a good reading material for academia and industry in food processing sector.

'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'. While it may be true that a balanced diet is a prerequisite for good health, how good is what we eat and drink every day? And is it actually possible to fulfil every customer desire with the vast array of foodstuffs on offer? BSE, dioxin in eggs, EHEC sprouts: in the light of repeated food safety crises, the issue of quality assurance as well as customer-oriented quality management has become of prime importance for the agri-food industry. This sector features highly complex value-added chains, which means that quality deficiencies or contaminations can quickly lead to far-reaching problems with serious consequences for consumers and businesses. What can be done to reduce this vulnerability to crises? The only solution is to establish systematic methods of quality management which will facilitate the establishment and protection of high standards across companies. This book will show which methods are available and how they can reasonably be used. The authors present an easy-to-read guide which not only includes the most important legal provisions, standards and accreditation and certification procedures, but also develops practical quality assurance strategies and shows how they can be implemented within the agri-food industry.

Food Chains: Quality, Safety and Efficiency in a Challenging World addresses the many issues facing European food producers and other food chain stakeholders, who endeavour to improve their competitive position in a highly competitive world food market. The Food Chain is one of the main economic pillars in Europe, providing employment and opportunities for economic development in rural areas. It is therefore imperative to continuously monitor the changes that affect the sector, in order to allow stakeholders to respond promptly and effectively to the new market conditions. Adjusting to the new market involves new technology, globalization, demographic and social changes within a challenging market environment. In order to adopt these new market parameters, food chain stakeholders need to adapt their activities in order to gain in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. This book was originally published as a special issue of Food Economics - Acta Agriculture Scandinavica, Section C.

"This book brings together a rich collection of material on management and organization in agri-food chains and networks. Producers, processors, traders and retailers of agricultural and food products operate in an economic and institutional environment that is increasingly dominated by global developments. Therefore, organizing efficient and effective supply chains as well as managing collaboration among participating firms requires an international perspective. This book presents theoretical and practical insights from many different parts of the world. Topics covered include classical supply chain management issues like logistics, information exchange (e.g. tracking and tracing), quality control, safety assurance, and chain performance. Other timely issues covered are joint innovation, and shared responsibility for sustainability in agri-food supply chains. Special attention is given to issues of governance and organization of chains and networks, for example, by focussing on the role of producer organisations (such as farmer cooperatives) in their effort to combine horizontal and vertical collaboration in the international upply chain. This book is relevant for both academics and managers interested in the latest advances in research on management and organization of international agri-food chains and networks."