Understanding the barriers to food safety scheme certification in the food and drink manufacturing industry in Wales, UK

It is increasingly essential for food manufacturers to have food safety certification. Little is known about certification in the Welsh food industry. This study aimed to explore perceptions of Welsh manufacturers regarding the drivers, benefits and barriers to obtaining certification. Focus groups with manufacturers and stakeholders (n = 68) were conducted. ‘Customer requirement’ and ‘product safety’ were drivers for obtaining certification. Benefits related to ‘food safety culture’, ‘supply chain security’, ‘brand protection’, 'due diligence’, ‘business growth’ and ‘job security’. Barriers were complex, often interrelated and were broadly defined as, ‘knowledge and skills’, ‘time, cost and resources’, and ‘communication and access to information’. The research identifies the need to explore requirements for support to enable food manufacturers in Wales to overcome identified barriers. Such data may inform the design and development of support mechanisms to increase uptake of food safety certification and accelerate food sector growth in-line with Welsh Government aspirations.