Platform for the food and beverage industry
From Knowledge to Behavior
Never before has the food industry had access to as much information as it does today. Organizations have access to enormous amounts of data, guidelines, and digital tools to ensure food safety. At the same time, it is proving increasingly difficult to effectively translate this knowledge into daily practice. “Food safety requires more than just being well-informed. It is a continuous process of staying alert and exercising critical judgment—even when there are no incidents that immediately call for action,” says Esther Baan, Food Safety Training & Development Executive at DNV Business Assurance.
As research becomes more intensive, more and more risks are coming to light. That does not mean that the number of food safety incidents is decreasing. Controlling pathogenic microorganisms, the increasing complexity of international supply chains, the digitization of processes, and effective allergen management pose major challenges for the food industry. “This requires not only systems and procedures, but above all sustained vigilance, knowledge, and a thorough understanding of risks,” Baan emphasizes.
The foundation for food safety and quality lies in legislation and well-designed food safety management systems. These are often supported by certification, which provides structure and clarity. Regulation (EU) 2021/382 requires organizations not only to have processes documented in writing but also to demonstrate that food safety is understood, supported, and implemented within the organization. “Internal audits and certification play a key role in ensuring food safety and continuous improvement. Anyone who views the internal audit merely as a mandatory formality or a box to check for certification is missing out on a huge opportunity,” says Baan. “It’s more than just checking whether your procedures are being followed: it’s an opportunity to engage in dialogue with your employees. Such an audit raises questions that go beyond compliance alone. Not ‘do we meet the standard?’, but ’are we working in the best possible way and achieving our goals?’”
“The connection between risk analyses, day-to-day decisions, and changing circumstances is not always being fully leveraged,” according to Baan. “The current challenges in food safety lie in managing dynamic risks within production environments, supply chains, and information flows. This requires more than just systems and procedures: it demands constant vigilance and a thorough understanding of risks—not only from an administrative perspective, but also in terms of substance.”
Employees play an essential role in this. Processes, certification, and technology can provide support, but ultimately it is people who make decisions, identify deviations, and implement measures. “Food safety stands or falls on what people understand, recognize, and do.”
For many employees, the challenge lies in keeping their knowledge up to date and in-depth: understanding why certain requirements apply, when risks change, and how new insights impact their own work.
As an international certification body, DNV has a broad perspective on current industry trends. This translates into a comprehensive range of training programs, ranging from standards knowledge and audit skills to in-depth courses in the field of food safety. “Our training programs are highly practical and address today’s challenges,” says Baan. “Organizations are grappling with evolving risks, increasing complexity, and new regulations. Our training programs are designed to address these issues.”
By making targeted investments in employee development, organizations can make significant strides toward ensuring food safety in the long term. “Our trainers see the challenges organizations face on a daily basis. That makes us a partner with a deep understanding of the subject matter for organizations that truly want to understand and embed food safety.”
DNV offers training courses for all levels of your organization. Wondering how DNV can be your partner? View the complete range of training courses at dnv.nl/training-courses.
