HACCP effectiveness between ISO 22000 certified and non-certified dairy companies

The purpose of the study is to determine the differences between the ISO 22000 certified and non-certified dairy companies with regard to the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) Food Safety System (FSS) effectiveness. The HACCP FSS effectiveness is defined in the present study as the degree of the achievement of the system objectives (identification, assessment and the control of food borne safety hazards). A research study was carried out in 74 Greek dairy companies using a structured questionnaire. The differences between the ISO 22000 certified and non-certified dairy companies (both implementing HACCP principles) with regard to HACCP effectiveness are determined through non parametric tests such as the Chi-square Test and the Mann–Whitney Test. The vast majority of the participating in the present study dairy companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The ISO 22000 certified dairy companies significantly outperform the non-certified with regard to the HACCP FSS effectiveness, in other words to the degree to which the objectives of HACCP are achieved. Thus, managers of dairy SMEs taking advantage of the structured organization and the documented procedures provided by the ISO 22000 standard can increase the level of achieving the objectives of the HACCP FSS, in other words HACCP effectiveness. In doing so, dairy SMEs can set the foundations in order to optimize the conditions under which safe food is provided, minimize the possibility of food non-conformities and scandals, increase market share and consequently withstand the current downturn.