No. Food Safety Culture is not a new concept, but it remains an important focus area within FSSC 22000 Version 7 to support effective food safety management and continual improvement.
SGS Thailand BlogOctober 07, 2026
Many organizations successfully pass audits and maintain certification, yet still experience recurring issues such as inconsistent adherence to procedures, limited incident reporting and low employee engagement in food safety activities.
In many cases, the challenge is not the system itself. The challenge is ensuring that food safety becomes part of everyday behaviors and decision-making.
Why Food Safety Culture Matters in Version 7
FSSC 22000 Version 7 has been updated to align with industry developments, GFSI Benchmarking Requirements 2024 and evolving food safety expectations.
A strong food safety culture helps ensure that food safety requirements are consistently implemented throughout the organization, not just documented in procedures.
What Does a Strong Food Safety Culture Look Like?
- Employees understand the purpose behind food safety requirements
- Supervisors and leaders consistently communicate food safety expectations
- Employees are encouraged to report issues and concerns
- Food safety is recognized as everyone's responsibility
- Performance is regularly monitored and improved
From Documentation to Behavior
| What Organizations Typically Do | What Organizations Should Achieve |
|---|---|
| SOPs and work instructions are available | Employees consistently follow procedures |
| Food safety training is conducted | Training results in behavioral change |
| Policies are approved | Leaders visibly support food safety |
| Internal audits are conducted | Culture is continually improved |
Common Challenges Organizations Face
Common challenges include:
- Employees follow procedures only during audit periods
- Food safety is viewed as the responsibility of the QA department
- Training does not lead to long-term behavioral change
- Leadership involvement is limited
- Recurring food safety issues continue despite corrective actions
Five Practical Ways to Strengthen Food Safety Culture
- Leadership Must Lead the Culture
Leaders should visibly demonstrate their commitment through communication, objectives and active participation.
- Connect Food Safety to Daily Work
Employees should understand how their daily activities contribute to product safety and quality.
- Improve Communication
Food safety communication should be integrated into routine operations, not limited to audits or training sessions.
- Measure Behaviors
Monitor behavior-based indicators such as issue reporting, employee participation and response to nonconformities.
- Reinforce Continuous Improvement
Food safety culture should be reviewed, measured and improved as part of the organization's continual improvement process.
How SGS Can Support Your Food Safety Culture Journey
- FSSC 22000 Version 7 Transition Training
- FSSC 22000 Internal Auditor Training
- Food Safety Management System Training
- Gap Analysis Services
- Food Safety Culture Awareness Programs
- FSSC 22000 Certification Services
These services help organizations understand new requirements, identify improvement opportunities and strengthen food safety culture across the organization.
Key Takeaway
Food Safety Culture is not about documentation. It is about behavior.
Organizations that successfully engage employees at every level in food safety practices will be better prepared for FSSC 22000 Version 7, reduce operational risks and strengthen customer confidence.
FAQs
Everyone in the organization contributes to Food Safety Culture. However, strong leadership commitment and visible support are critical to building a sustainable food safety culture.
Organizations should demonstrate leadership involvement, food safety communication, employee awareness, training activities, monitoring processes and continual improvement initiatives
Yes. A strong Food Safety Culture encourages consistent behaviors, proactive issue reporting and better compliance with food safety requirements, helping reduce risks and strengthen product confidence.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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