Are we making food safety standards too complicated?

Leonardo da Vinci said it best: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

It’s easy to get lost in the details and lose sight of the main goal—keeping our food safe.

After years of setting and auditing standards, I’ve seen firsthand how complexity hampers efficiency, effectiveness, and commitment. In contrast, simple standards bring clarity and consistency, benefiting businesses and food safety.

Here are ten reasons why simpler is better:

1. The focus remains on critical food safety aspects.
2. Easier understanding leads to better compliance.
3. Clear communication is more achievable.
4. Uniform implementation becomes standard.
5. Responsibilities are more straightforward to assign.
6. Mistakes compromising food safety are less likely.
7. Employee engagement in food safety practices increases.
8. Employees feel less overwhelmed.
9. Implementation and maintenance are more efficient.
10. Audits become more targeted and meaningful.

While food safety standards are crucial, their growing complexity detracts from their primary goal: ensuring safe food. Embracing simplicity isn’t just practical; it’s essential for more effective and sustainable food safety.

Let’s simplify to amplify food safety.

May this resonate with those responsible for setting and evolving food safety standards.