What is a food safety management system?

A food safety management system is fundamentally a systematic approach designed to ensure the safe handling and processing of food throughout its entire lifecycle, from production to consumption. This system encompasses procedures, protocols, and practices that aim to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

This involves various components such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), training for staff on safe food handling practices, regular safety audits, and ensuring compliance with relevant food safety regulations and standards. By implementing a robust food safety management system, food businesses can effectively minimize risks and enhance consumer trust in their products.

The other options do not reflect the essence of a food safety management system. Guidelines for kitchen decoration focus on aesthetics rather than safety; marketing strategies pertain to how products are promoted rather than how they are handled safely; and food product testing, while important, is just one aspect of a comprehensive system rather than the entirety of food safety management.