The application of systematic accident analysis tools to investigate food safety incidents

<p>  </p> <p>Effective food safety management relies on the understanding of the factors that contribute to food safety incidents and the means for their mitigation and control. This review aims to explore the application of systematic accident analysis tools to both design food safety management systems (FSMS) and also to investigate food safety incidents (FSI) to identify contributive and causative factors associated with FSI and the means for their elimination or control. The study has compared and contrasted the diverse characteristics of linear, epidemiological and systematic accident analysis tools and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and the types and depth of qualitative and quantitative analysis they promote.  Systematic accident analysis tools, such as the Accident Map Model (AcciMap), the Functional Resonance Accident Model (FRAM) or the Systems Theoretical Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) are flexible systematic approaches to analysing FSI within a socio-technical food system which is complex and continually evolving.  They can be applied at organisational, supply chain or wider food system levels. As with the application of HACCP principles, the process is time consuming and requires skilled users to achieve the level of systematic analysis required to ensure effective validation and verification of FSMS and revalidation and reverification following a FSI. Effective revalidation and reverification is essential to prevent recurrent FSI and to inform new practices and processes for emergent food safety concerns and the means for their control.</p>