Ethics in food safety management Introduction

Ethics in food safety management

Introduction

Food production is a complicated issue that has an impact on people's lives, business earnings, and the health of the entire world. When it comes to the manufacturing of food, it is not always easy to distinguish between good and bad foods. Regarding the food supply chain, including agricultural production, several ethical issues might be brought up.

Climate change, animal welfare, fair trade, health and safety of employees as well as consumers, fair treatment of employees and their social rights, economic sustainability and use of natural resources are all important dimensions within the system of production, processing and trade, and where every food item often includes value conflicts. A growing proportion of the Western population is becoming overweight and obese. Should the food industry limit the promotion of fat and sweet foods in order to lessen these issues, or is this the responsibility of customers, as long as they have an informed choice? Perhaps the industry's primary goal is to increase profits and secure employment? Today, there is a highly variable food production in all around the world. Most people are starving, therefore ensuring a sufficient food supply is critical. Is it, however, unethical to prioritize efficient food production over animal welfare and environmentally sustainable production? If this is the case, what are the long-term consequences? Would other unethical acts, such as food dumping, increase?
We can also wonder if the short-term implications on individuals are more essential than the long-term consequences on the earth, and if it is okay for us to prioritize what is nearest in time and space. The responses of the food sector to these issues will have an impact on how consumers, citizens, and other key stakeholders perceive them.
Food security, food safety and sustainability are considered as first priorities related to the modern developments in agricultural technologies. In this chapter we will discuss the scope of ethics in the food industry in relation to food safety. We start out by defining ethics. Following this, ethical dilemmas in food safety cases are discussed. Lastly, framework for ethical decision-making in the food industry are highlighted.