Statistical Process Control for the Food Industry

1Quality Management in the Food Industry

1.1 Introduction

The importance of quality in the food industry has grown significantly over recent decades as consumers have become more critical. Apart from that, this is also attributed to the increasing expectations of consumers, stricter governmental regulations, changes in consumption patterns, continuous development of technologies and expanding market competition. Compared to other industry, food quality management is challenging due to the complex character of food products with the unpredictable and evolving behaviour of people involved in the food chain. Therefore, food companies are seeking more efficient and effective managerial approaches to improve or sustain the quality aspect of their processes and products. The key forces that drive the food companies to seek quality management practices may be dictated by internal or external circumstances or maybe both. The key purpose of effective quality management is to boost the competitiveness of the business and offer strategic advantages in the market (Anderson, Rungtusanatham, and Schroeder 1994). Similarly, food quality management is crucial to assure the quality of the process and subsequently the products in food businesses.

Although the food industry is aware of the negative public opinion, not all companies are committed to improving the industry's image

Mike Doyle, PhD, Director of the Center for Food Safety

1.2 Definition of Quality Control

The term ‘quality control ...