Building Strong Food Safety Cultures with Effective ...€¦ · practices for overcoming them. This...
Transcript of Building Strong Food Safety Cultures with Effective ...€¦ · practices for overcoming them. This...
Building Strong Food Safety Cultures with Effective Training Programs
Results from the Global Food Safety Training Survey
Global Food Safety Training Survey Sponsors:
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Building Strong Food Safety Cultures with Effective Training Programs
This research report is based on analysis of the 5th annual
Global Food Safety Training Survey. The survey is sponsored
by Intertek Alchemy, Campden BRI, Safe Quality Food Institute,
British Retail Consortium, Grocery Manufacturer’s Association
Science & Education Foundation, NSF Latin America, SGS, and
TSI. The analysis and conclusions reflect the perspective of
Intertek Alchemy and not necessarily the other study sponsors.
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ContentsExecutive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 5
Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety .......................................... 6
Training Budgets & Resources Steady or Rising ............................................................8
Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior ..........12
Why Employees Don’t Follow Food Safety Programs .............................................16
Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges ...................................................18
Overcoming the “Scheduling Time for Training” Challenge ..................................20
Overcoming the “Verifying Effective Training” Challenge ....................................21
Overcoming the “Organizing Refresher Training” Challenge ...............................26
Audit Deficiencies Corroborate the Top Training Challenges .............................28
Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement ...............................................30
Focus Efforts Where They Have the Most Impact ....................................................32
Include Employees in Assessing Training Needs to Drive Accountability ..32
Drive Employee Interaction with Better Training Tools .........................................34
Conclusion & Methodology ....................................................................................................36
AlchemySystems.com© 2019 Intertek Alchemy
5 | Executive Summary
However, food safety professionals continue
to struggle translating that commitment to
driving actual food safety behavior change
on the facility floor. For example, 67%
responded that despite their best efforts, they
still have employees not consistently
following their food safety procedures.
The key reasons for non-compliance are: bad
habits, prefer old ways of doing things, and
following another employee’s behaviors.
It takes just one unfortunate food incident
to cause irreparable damage to people,
profits, and brands. Leading companies are
tackling the top three food safety training
challenges, which the survey found to be:
Scheduling time for training
Verifying effective training
Organizing refresher training
Intertek Alchemy’s food safety research
team conducted expert analysis of the
Global Food Safety Training Survey research
data to better understand the challenges
and gaps, and identify actionable best
practices for overcoming them. This report
also shows how leading companies are
using innovative training programs to
engage today’s frontline workforce and
drive positive behavior change on the floor.
Executive Summary
The annual Global Food Safety Training
Survey is an industry benchmarking tool
for companies to assess their food safety
training programs compared to their industry
peers. Intertek Alchemy and its research
partners have conducted the survey for
five consecutive years. This year, over
1,400 food safety professionals in 20 food
industry sectors from across the globe
responded to the survey. (See page 25 for
survey demographics and methodology.)
Survey responses indicate that companies
are highly committed to building strong food
safety cultures and are investing to continually
improve their programs. Specifically:
believe they have a
clear vision for
improving food safety
responded that their
company is a “leader”
in food safety
believe they are able
to provide the food
safety training
needed to drive
positive behaviors
74%
55%
83%
6 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
I.Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
7 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
FIGURE 1:
Company Commitment to Food Safety
Food companies have made significant investments over the
past decade in their food safety programs and are committed to
developing strong food safety cultures. After all, just one food
safety incident can significantly impact their business and brand.
The survey posed several questions around management’s
commitment to food safety programs. The responses clearly
show confidence in their vision, leadership, and ability to drive
behaviors. For example, 74% responded that their company has
a clear vision for improving food safety, and 55% responded that
their company is an “industry leader” in food safety (FIGURE 1).
Our company has a clear vision
for improving food safety in
the next 12 months.
Our company is an industry leader
in food safety standards.
74%
55%
8 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
Training Budgets & Resources Steady or Rising
Food safety training budgets also reflect the
commitment to food safety. Training budgets
are mostly holding steady or rising compared
to previous years. In fact, four times more
companies are increasing their training
budgets than decreasing them (FIGURE 2).
In previous years of the study, lack of
resources (time and money) was the top
challenge to developing a strong food
safety culture. In fact, the 2017 survey
marks the first time this was not the #1
challenge, with only 31% of respondents
citing “lack of resources” as a top challenge.
That’s down from 48% in 2016 (FIGURE 3).
The demonstrated management
commitment and steady resources are
providing much needed support. In fact,
83% of food safety professionals surveyed
said they are able to provide the training
necessary to drive appropriate, consistent
food safety behaviors (FIGURE 4).
FIGURE 2:
How does your budget for food safety training compare to last year?
Less
6%
Same
71%
More
23%
9 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
FIGURE 4:
Are you able to provide the needed food safety training to drive appropriate, consistent food safety behaviors?
Yes
83%
FIGURE 3:
Lack of Resources (Time & Money) as a Challenge to Food Safety Culture
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
201720162015
44% 48%
31%
No
17%
10 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
Companies also feel that their frontline workforce is motivated to
do their jobs well. Only 7% of respondents disagreed or strongly
disagreed that their employees are not motivated (FIGURE 5).
Yet another positive sign is that management recognizes a
link between following food safety procedures and increasing
yields. Indeed, 79% of survey respondents believe their company
could be more productive if employees consistently followed
the food safety program (FIGURE 6). This is important because
food safety programs (including training) are often viewed as a
drain on productivity due to time off the floor. But, due to the
nature of food safety breaches, any non-adherence to food
safety protocols results in wasted product, lost time, or both.
11 | Strong Management Commitment to Food Safety
FIGURE 6:
Our company could be more productive if our employees consistently adhered to our food safety programs.
True
79%
False
21%
FIGURE 5:
Are people in your company highly motivated to do their job well?
Strongly agree
16%
Strongly disagree
2%
Neutral
26%
Agree
51%
Disagree
5%
12 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
II.Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
13 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
FIGURE 7:
Despite your efforts in employee food safety training, do you still have employees not following your
food safety program on the floor?
Yes
67%
No
33%
It’s important to remember: commitment
to food safety isn’t the same as execution.
Even though 83% of companies report
positively on their ability to drive consistent
food safety behaviors, 67% responded
that despite their best efforts, they still
have employees not following the food
safety program on the floor (FIGURE 7).
Perception versus on-the-floor follow-
through of frontline employees wasn’t the
only disconnect uncovered. There also seems
to be overconfidence of some training system
elements out of frontline workers’ control.
14 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
For example (FIGURE 8), the survey found that 55% believe their
company is an industry leader in food safety standards — and yet:
• Only 36% measure employee performance or behaviors
• Only 46% verify training is applied correctly on the floor
• Only two thirds give a quiz or assessment
associated with training
This disconnect between commitment and on-the-
floor execution raises key questions like:
• Why don’t employees consistently follow their
company’s food safety programs?
• What challenges do companies face in building a food
safety culture and providing effective training?
• Are leaders too reliant on the onboarding training and have
blind spots around continual training and engagement?
• Is the training complete, consistent, and effective?
• How is the training validated by team leads
and supervisors on the floor?
This report will delve into these questions and provide
best practices from industry leaders in food safety.
15 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
FIGURE 8:
46%
verify training is applied
correctly on the floor
66%
give a quiz or assessment
associated with training
36%measure employee
performance or behaviors
55%
believe their company
is an industry leader in
food safety standards
Perception
Reality
16 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
Why Employees Don’t Follow
Food Safety Programs
Survey respondents cited a variety of reasons for why employees
don’t consistently follow food safety programs (FIGURE 9).
The top 3 reasons (bad habits, prefer old ways, following
another employee) are all symptoms of a “one and done” training
regimen that considers training a one-time event and a one-way
conversation. In Intertek Alchemy’s work with over a thousand
food companies, we have seen the positive impact of an
integrated program of onboarding training, supervisory coaching,
reinforcement/refresher training, and ongoing communications.
Beyond the top three, the next two reasons employees
don’t follow food safety programs (not engaged and
training not remembered) are symptoms of poorly designed
training content that simply fails to engage the learner.
A frontline employee’s learning needs are very different from a
corporate or professional employee. Frontline employees may
face language barriers, have lower educational attainment levels,
or simply have less interest in learning due to the high turnover
nature of their employment. It’s critical to develop training content
and deliver the training in an engaging, easy-to-digest way.
Leading companies are switching from long, boring classroom
training to shorter, fast-paced training that uses games and
class competition to create engaging learning environments.
17 | Commitment Not Always Matched by On-the-Floor Behavior
FIGURE 9:
Why do employees not follow your food safety program consistently?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Other
Did Not Understand the Training
Not Sure Why
Training Was Not Remembered
Not Engaged
Followed Other Employees' Direction
Prefer Doing Things the Old Way
Bad Habits 62%54%
34%30%
27%19%19%
8%
18 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
III.Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
19 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
FIGURE 10:
What are your organization’s biggest food safety training challenges?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Finding Competent Trainers
Training Documentation
Resources for Training Delivery
Retraining or Remediation
Cost of Training
Developing Current Training Curriculum
Identifying Competencies for Specific Roles
Management Commitment
Delivering Training in Appropriate Languages
Organizing Refresher Training
Verifying E�ective Training
Scheduling Time for Training 66%41%
27%22%21%20%20%19%19%
16%14%
10%
According to this year’s survey respondents, the top
three food safety training challenges are (FIGURE 10):
Scheduling time for training
Verifying effective training
Organizing refresher training
These key challenges can be overcome by
implementing training best practices that have
already been proven at leading food companies.
20 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
Overcoming the “Scheduling Time for Training” Challenge
Food production is a fast-paced, yield-
focused environment where time off the
floor means lost production — especially
in facilities that are running lean or have
high seasonality in their production.
So it’s not surprising that scheduling the
time needed to get frontline employees the
necessary food safety training has remained
the biggest training challenge every year
of this study. In fact, it is by far the most
critical challenge for most companies.
Leading companies have developed many
best practices to weave training into the
production cycle — so rather than collide
with production, they have figured out
ways to align with production. For example,
many companies are turning away from
2-3 days of intense “drink from a fire hose”
onboarding training to a more spread out
onboarding effort over two to three weeks.
This enables the employee to get the
critical safety basics down and get on the
production floor quickly. Then the employee
continues the training on the more advanced
topics with a much better understanding
of the production floor and is far more
engaged in the learning. This approach
clearly requires more coordination between
operations and training, but the impact on
engagement and, ultimately, compliance to
food safety standards, is worth the effort.
Companies are also taking advantage
of scheduled (and unscheduled) down-
time by providing employees with access
to e-learning through training kiosks in
breakrooms and HR offices. Studies show
that short bursts of training (about 5-15
minutes) improve engagement and learning
retention. A leading Canadian food processor
experienced a 20% increase in passing
rates when complementing instructor-
led onboarding with training kiosks.
The length of training sessions factors
into effectiveness as well. Today’s workers
are more easily distracted due to rapidly
changing technologies and constant
connectivity. Holding shorter training
sessions can help sharpen focus and
increase retention of important messages
while minimizing time off the floor.
21 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
Overcoming the “Verifying Effective Training” Challenge
Verifying effective training is essentially
a two-part challenge, encompassing both
verification that training even took place,
as well as effectiveness of that training.
Companies overwhelmingly rely on
paper-based documentation and/or Excel
spreadsheets to verify training (FIGURE 11).
These manual systems are not only subject
to human error, they can be a headache when
documenting training compliance for auditors.
FIGURE 11:
How does your organization document and manage training records?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Other
Internally Developed Software
Commercial LMS Software
Excel Spreadsheet
Paper-based documentation 66%56%
20%13%
3%
22 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
When asked how companies assess training comprehension
(FIGURE 12), 66% report they use a quiz or exam. This is strong,
but also means 34% of companies are potentially sending workers
to the floor without verification they comprehend important food
safety measures. Similarly, more than half of companies consider
attendance as a sign of comprehension. And less than half use
on-the-job reviews or questioning to assess understanding.
Some companies have overcome these verification challenges by
implementing robust learning management systems (LMS) that
automate training documentation and reporting. By combining
digital sign-ins with a clear verification process, companies can
also quickly identify the workers who need more attention.
This is especially helpful at facilities with large workforces
or companies with multiple facilities. Which is likely a factor
why the adoption of an LMS is higher for larger companies
(FIGURE 13). Yet even 35% of the largest companies (over
1,000 employees) are still operating without automated
reporting and as much as 80% of smaller companies are not.
23 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
FIGURE 12:
How does your organization assess the understanding of any training undertaken?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Other
No Measurement Currently Utilized
Post-course Assignment
Measure Performance/Behaviors
On-the-job Review/Questioning
Record of Attendence
Quiz Assessment/Examination 66%55%
46%36%
10%5%
2%
FIGURE 13:
% of Companies Using LMS by Company Size
# of Employees
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
> 1,000501-1,000251-500100-250< 100
20%30%
37%43%
65%
24 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
The second part of the “verifying effective
training” challenge is effectiveness.
Companies are incorporating adult learning best
practices like “active learning” and facility-
specific content to drive training effectiveness.
Active learning requires the trainee to do
something every few minutes to demonstrate
his or her understanding throughout the
learning process. This method is more
conducive to knowledge retention than
passive learning, where the learner receives,
rather than engages with, the training
material. For example, compare watching a
30-minute video on slips/trips/falls to taking
a quick pre-test, watching several short
videos with knowledge checks every few
minutes, and then a post-test — all within
20 minutes. Which method is likely to create
deeper learning and knowledge retention?
Implementing a structured program of
on-the floor coaching and corrective actions
is another proven method to verify training
effectiveness. A separate study shows
that a structured observation program can
lead to as much as 38% improvement in
correct application of training1 (FIGURE 14).
This method of one-on-one observation
also helps in reinforcement, ensuring
employees retain information. Increased
interaction also leads to a greater dialogue
between supervisors and frontline workers,
addressing safety issues before they arise.
The need for on-the-floor coaching is greatest
among the largest food companies. When
asked how their companies measure sustained
positive food safety behaviors, only 20% of
respondents at the largest companies report
utilizing supervisor observations (FIGURE 15).
The drop-off in supervisor interaction begins
at companies with 500-1,000 employees,
and becomes dramatic at over 1,000
employees. This could be due to increased
span of control. Regardless of causation, it’s
clear that meaningful interaction between
supervisors and frontline workers gets
harder as companies grow. But knowing and
acknowledging this can help these larger
companies overcome the additional challenges.
25 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
FIGURE 15:
% of Companies Using Supervisor Observations to Measure Food Safety Behaviors
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
> 1,000501-1,000251-500100-250< 100
55% 52% 53%46%
20%
# of Employees
FIGURE 14:
Successful Application of Training On the Floor1
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
After 3 ObservationsPost-trainingPre-training
94%82%
68%
38% Improvement
26 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
Overcoming the “Organizing Refresher Training” Challenge
Organizing refresher training is the third
biggest food safety training challenge,
cited by 27% of respondents overall.
Once again, larger companies face a
greater challenge. 46% of the largest
companies identifying “organizing refresher
training” as a top challenge, which is 13-
18 percentage points higher than other
companies (FIGURE 16). Regardless of size,
refresher training has historically been
considered a “nice to have” training with little
attention paid to the content or timing.
However, with increasingly complex
regulatory and compliance requirements,
and the limited attention spans, forward-
thinking companies are focusing on refresher
training as a critical part of the learning
plan. These companies typically use multiple
methods like team huddles, e-learning,
digital signs, and posters to reinforce key
safety messages. For example, a large pecan
processing company deployed a structured
refresher training program and experienced
a 17% increase in knowledge retention
across its workforce (FIGURE 17). Even more
impressive, the company also had a 36%
increase in knowledge retention among the
workers needing it most (those who had
scored lower in the onboarding training tests).
These new communication tools create so much engagement and discussion because we’re actually doing the things as we’re learning them.
—Ricardo P., supervisor at leading pecan processing company
27 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
FIGURE 17:
Impact of Refresher Training
knowledge retention
across ALL workers
knowledge retention among
workers needing it MOST
increase increase17% 36%
FIGURE 16:
Lack of/Late Refresher Training Cited Deficient in Audits
# of Employees
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
> 1,000501-1,000251-500100-250< 100
31% 33% 31% 28%
46%
28 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
Audit Deficiencies Corroborate
the Top Training Challenges
Interestingly, the top training challenges identified by the
survey respondents align closely with the two most frequent
training deficiencies identified in audits: lack of understanding
by employee and late/lack of refresher training (FIGURE 18).
Each of the top audit deficiencies has increased year-over-
year according to food safety professionals (FIGURE 19). “Lack
of/late refresher training” increased just over 50% (twelve
percentage points) since 2013 while “lack of understanding
by employee” increased 62% (16 percentage points).
29 | Overcoming Food Safety Training Challenges
FIGURE 18:
Type of Deficiencies in Training Program Identified During Audits
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Training is Not Current
Lack of Training Records
Other
No Training Given in Specific Areas
Incomplete Employee Training Records
Inadequate Training of Visitors/Subcontractors
Lack of/Late Refresher Training
Lack of Understanding by Employee 42%
33%
30%
27%
18%
14%
12%
11%
FIGURE 19:
Year-to-Year Comparison of Top Audit Deficiencies
Lack of Understanding by Employee
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
201720152013
26%32%
42%
Lack of/Late Refresher Training
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
201720152013
21%
34% 33%
30 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
IV.Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
31 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
The food industry has come a long way in recognizing
the importance of employee engagement when it comes
to food safety training. But fostering that engagement
isn’t always easy. Some best practices to drive employee
engagement and on-the-floor behaviors include:
• Focus efforts where they have the most impact
• Include employees in assessing training
needs to drive accountability
• Drive employee interaction with
better communication tool
32 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
Include Employees in Assessing Training Needs to Drive Accountability
Currently 78% of companies adopt a formal
annual food safety training plan to identify
training needs and activities (FIGURE 21).
This is a good thing. But the dramatic drop
for any other method utilized to assess
training needs means this top-down approach
is often the only method utilized. In this
scenario, the most important component
of a food safety plan — the frontline
employees doing the work — are largely left
out of the process in identifying gaps.
Methods that include employees in the
process scored low across the board: only
26% of food companies use a formal
training needs analysis, while 35% utilize
employee development reviews, and
32% use knowledge/skills matrices of
employees. Improvements in these areas
could not only help identify gaps that lead
to training not being applied on the floor,
but also build employee engagement.
This concept is supported by a separate
study that finds 68% of workers want to be
included in training development.2 It fosters
a strong safety culture and encourages
greater accountability. After all, if frontline
workers helped develop food safety training
plans and priorities, they have a much
more personal interest in its success.
Focus Efforts Where They Have the Most Impact
It makes sense to focus employee engagement
efforts around food safety where they will
have the most impact. The survey indicates
that supervisor communications and team
meetings are the most effective ways of
keeping food safety training “top of mind”
(FIGURE 20). Supervisors have tremendous
implicit and explicit power and interact
with their frontline employees every day.
So they can have a profound influence
with on-the-floor safety behaviors.
Since supervisors have the strongest
interaction with frontline employees,
it is imperative to provide them with
communication tools they need to
succeed. For example, rather than just
scheduling pre-shift meetings, leading
companies arm their supervisors with
pre-built “huddle guides” with scripts that
reinforce key training concepts. These
guides provide questions to pose to help
create two-way dialogue on important
safety issues. The structured discussions
increase engagement and consistency by
alleviating the issue of some supervisors
being better at training than others.
33 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
FIGURE 21:
How Companies Identify Safety Training Needs & Activities
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Other
Succession Planning
Just-in-time Training
Formal Training Needs Analysis
Continuing Professional Development
Knowledge & Skills Matrices
Regular Employee Development Review
Formal Annual Training Plan 78%35%
32%28%
26%16%
9%3%
FIGURE 20:
How does your organization keep training “top of mind” on a daily basis for hourly employees?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Other
Paycheck Stu�ers
Digital Messaging
Newsletters
TV Monitors for Messages & Images
Email Communication
Posters
Bulletin Boards
Team Meetings
Supervisor Communications 65%63%
44%41%
26%20%
11%7%
4%4%
34 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
Drive Employee Interaction
with Better Training Tools
According to the survey, 76% of companies rely on reading
materials and on-the-job instruction to deliver food safety training
(FIGURE 22). While reading policy and procedure manuals may
have been standard practice in the past, it’s simply not the way
today’s workforce is accustomed to learning. For many employees,
reading complex work procedures and SOPs can be a challenge.
On-the-job instruction is an easy and fast training method for
operations, but when it comes to food safety, much can be
“lost in translation” and bad habits or short-cuts can be handed
down to the new employee. While on-the-job instruction
is a great reinforcement tool, it may not be the best way
to introduce new employees to food safety practices.
But there are effective means of communication that
encourage interaction. The survey showed that coaching
and interactive tools are generally underutilized (40% and
10% respectively). But leading companies are tapping into
mobile technologies to successfully combine the two.
35 | Best Training Programs Focus on Engagement
FIGURE 22:
How is Food Safety Training Delivered?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Interactive Technology Capturing Audience Response
O�site External Training
Online Training (eLearning)
Videos, Webinars
Coaching
Classroom Training with Instructor or Facilitator
On-the-job Training
Read & Understand (Policies, Procedures, etc.) 72%72%
66%40%
35%32%
29%10%
36 | Conclusion & Methodology
V.Conclusion & Methodology
37 | Conclusion & Methodology
Conclusion
The 5th annual Global Food Safety Training Survey results
show that management is deeply committed to food safety.
Despite this commitment, there are several challenges to ensuring
the commitment turns into consistent, on-the-floor safety
behaviors. Over two-thirds of respondents said they still have
employees not consistently following their food safety program.
The top challenges to food safety training are shifting. It is less
about budgets and resources and more about finding the time
to train, verifying effective training was delivered, and providing
ongoing refresher training that keeps important safety topics
top-of-mind.
The old ways of training (reading manuals, on-the-job) are
not as effective due to changing demographics and learning
styles. Best practice companies are using interactive
training, redesigned onboarding, e-learning kiosks, supervisor
huddles, digital signage, and other tools to engage today’s
frontline employees and ensure knowledge retention.
38 | Conclusion & Methodology
Research Methodology
The Global Food Safety Training Survey
was designed in partnership with the study
sponsors: Intertek Alchemy, Campden
BRI, Safe Quality Food Institute, British
Retail Consortium, Grocery Manufacturer’s
Association Science & Education Foundation,
NSF Latin America, SGS, and TSI. The
survey was administered electronically.
1,422 respondents completed the survey.
Below are details on survey respondents by
company size, location, and industry sector.
Survey Respondent by Industry Sector
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Other
Sandwiches
Feed
Fats & Oils
Retail
Sugar Confectionary
Catering/Restaurants/Hospitality
Ready Meals
Sauces & Dressings
Snacks
Dairy
Beverages
Packaging
Meats Fish & Poultry
Fruits & Vegetables
Warehouse, Distribution
Processed Fruits & Vegetables
Processed Meats, Fish & Poultry
Ingredients/Flavors/Colors
Cereal & Bakery 18%
16%
15%
13%
13%
12%
12%
11%
11%
11%
10%
7%
7%
7%
6%
6%
6%
5%
3%
2%
39 | Conclusion & Methodology
1. Meyer, R. “The Positive Impact of Behavioral Change on Food Safety & Productivity”
2. Shah, R. “The Mind of the Food Worker: Behaviors and Perceptions that Impact Safety and Operations.”
Number of Full-time Equivalent Staff
Survey Respondent by Location
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Europe - NON European Union
Mexico
Australia/Oceania
Central/South America
Africa/Middle East
UK
Asia (Including China & India)
Canada
Europe - European Union
USA 56%16%
12%12%
9%9%9%
7%6%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
> 5,000
1,001-5,000
501-1,000
251-500
100-250
< 100 41%
24%
14%
8%
7%
6%
40 | Conclusion & Methodology
About Intertek Alchemy
Intertek Alchemy in the industry leader of innovative solutions
that help food industry companies, engage with their workforces
to increase safety and productivity. Over 3 million frontline
workers at 50,000 locations worldwide use Alchemy’s learning,
communications, and performance programs to safeguard food,
reduce workplace incidents, and improve operations. Intertek
Alchemy works across all industry sectors, food growers,
manufacturers, processors, packagers, distributors, restaurant,
and retailers to build positive safety and operations cultures.