Comparing non-compliances and non-conformities: The different points of view of pig slaughterhouse operator, competent authority and customers

The food business operators (FBOs) hold the main responsibility for food safety, based on the Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and realized by the application of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles. They should implement a self-checking system (SCS) and may adopt voluntary food safety management system based on international standards, that are believed to strengthen HACCP functioning. Both official controls conducted by the Competent Authorities (CAs) and private voluntary standards play essential roles in maintaining food safety. In addition, customer complaints are highlighted as valuable feedback for FBOs, contributing to continuous improvement efforts. The present study aimed (i) to compare the non-compliances assigned by the CA during official inspections and audits carried out in a large slaughterhouse with the non-conformities registered by the FBO in the SCS during a five-year period, (ii) to evaluate, in the same period of time, the customer complaints managed by the FBO as non-conformities being part of the Food Safety Management System, and (iii) to examine potential overlapping of SCS and official controls. The majority of non-conformities/ non-compliances in the slaughterhouse were related to the finding of non-conforming products, maintenance deficiencies, and lack in housekeeping and hygiene. The types of observations varied among the three groups - FBO, CA, and customers - with different areas of focus. Both official controls and SCS are of crucial importance and can sometimes overlap, but the suggestion to reduce the frequency of official inspections should not be considered because such controls have different values and are both crucial. Moreover, those controls should nevertheless be complemented by attentive consideration of customer complaints.