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European private food safety standards in global agri-food supply chains: a systematic review

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  • Rao, Madhura
  • Bast, Aalt
  • Boer, Alie de

Abstract

Private food safety standards have become an important governance mechanism in contemporary food supply chains. While much has been written about private standards from the perspectives of different academic fields, there has never been a dedicated literature review to examine their interaction with global food supply chains. In this systematic review, 45 peer reviewed articles on private food standards, selected through extensive searches in four academic databases are critically appraised. Our analysis reveals that the most studied European private food safety standards are owned by retail conglomerates and therefore place the retail sector in a position of influence in the supply chain. These standards influence supply chain structures, market access, and the efficiency of food safety management systems. They also challenge the traditional relationship shared by actors in the supply chain with public authorities and the World Trade Organization. In the recent years, their scope has expanded to include topical issues such as environmental sustainability, worker safety, and animal welfare. Overall, the review suggests that European private food safety standards alter the operations of modern agri-food supply chains to accommodate consumer wishes while allowing the retail sector to exert its influence without taking on additional legal and economic liability.

Suggested Citation

  • Rao, Madhura & Bast, Aalt & Boer, Alie de, 2021. "European private food safety standards in global agri-food supply chains: a systematic review," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(6), April.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:ifaamr:316353
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.316353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Herzfeld, Thomas & Drescher, Larissa S. & Grebitus, Carola, 2011. "Cross-national adoption of private food quality standards," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 36(3), pages 401-411.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lijiao Hu & Yuqing Zheng & Timothy A. Woods & Yoko Kusunose & Steven Buck, 2023. "The market for private food safety certifications: Conceptual framework, review, and future research directions," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(1), pages 197-220, March.
    2. Madhura Rao & Nadia Bernaz & Alie Boer, 2024. "Holding Retail Corporations Accountable for Food Waste: A Due Diligence Framework Informed by Business and Human Rights Principles," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 679-689, September.
    3. Bianca-Florentina Nistoroiu & Mile Vasic & Iuliana Nicolae & Vasilii Erokhin & Ovidiu Condeainu, 2024. "Exploring Key Stakeholders in the Romanian Food Chain: An Analysis of European Influences and Local Dynamics," Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Doctoral Field Engineering and Management in Agriculture and Rural Development, issue 1, pages 86-94.
    4. Madhura Rao & Aalt Bast & Alie de Boer, 2021. "Valorized Food Processing By-Products in the EU: Finding the Balance between Safety, Nutrition, and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.

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