food safety BUSINESS
COMPLACENCY
in horticultural
food safety
A dormant threat
In the horticultural industry, ensuring the safety of fresh produce is critical and expected by consumers worldwide. From pre-planting activities to the point crops reach consumers, food safety practices must be strictly followed to provide assurances to markets. Complacency is defined as “a sense of false security” or “unawareness of deficiencies”.
Words Joel Dinsdale, Quality Assurance Coordinator, vegetablesWA
The risks of complacency in horticultural food safety can be severe, both for public health and the businesses involved.
WHEN businesses become complacent (in a food safety sense), the worst-case scenario is potentially that they could open the door to foodborne illness outbreaks, risking public health and damaging the reputation of the industry. This is an alarming prospect but one which could play out if something goes wrong.
What is complacency in food safety?
Complacency in food safety tends to refer to the relaxed attitude toward safety protocols and preventive measures. These events can occur when an operation has not experienced significant issues in the past. It is the mentality that “it hasn’t happened before, so it won’t happen now”.
While this complacent mindset can develop over time as businesses get comfortable with routine practices, it can create blind spots to potential hazards that threaten the integrity of fresh produce.
This is why we need to ensure that we are all switched on, every single day we operate. From top to bottom of the organisation —no exceptions.
Causes of complacency in horticulture
There are perhaps several reasons why complacency in food safety may take hold in horticulture:
• Perceived low risk —Fruits and vegetables are often seen as “safer” compared to other food groups like meat or dairy, leading some producers to underestimate the risk of contamination. However, fresh produce can carry harmful pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp, posing serious health risks if not properly handled.
• Past success —When businesses haven’t faced food safety issues or product recalls, they may become overconfident, believing their practices are appropriate. This false sense of security can result in a lack of attention to updating protocols or addressing emerging risks.
• Resource limitations —For smaller operations, food safety compliance can be expensive and time-consuming. Testing of product(s), employee training, and maintaining hygienic facilities all require significant investment. Some businesses may cut corners to save costs, especially if they perceive the risk to be low.
• Regulatory fatigue —As more regulations are introduced, some businesses may start to see compliance as a burdensome, checkbox exercise rather than a genuine necessity for public safety.
After inspections or audits, they may relax their standards, thinking the immediate pressure is gone.
Consequences of complacency
The risks of complacency in horticultural food safety can be severe, both for public health and the businesses involved:
• Public health risks —Contaminated produce can cause widespread outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, are especially at risk of severe illness. Even a single contaminated shipment can affect thousands of people across the distribution chain.
• Economic losses —Outbreaks often lead to costly recalls, legal action, and a loss of consumer confidence. Businesses may face fines, lawsuits, and significant financial damage. For smaller operations, a contamination event can be catastrophic, putting them out of business.
• Regulatory scrutiny —Companies that experience food safety issues can face increased inspections and stricter regulatory oversight. Failure to comply with food safety regulations can lead to penalties or even the suspension of operations.
Preventing complacency
Preventing complacency (in food safety) requires a proactive approach. Producers must commit to continuous improvement and vigilance in their operations:
• Regular training —Employees should be educated on the latest food safety risks and prevention methods. Regular/ongoing training sessions can help reinforce the importance of maintaining safety standards.
• Updated procedures —Food safety procedures should be continually reviewed and updated to reflect new threats, technologies, and best practices.
• A continuous culture of food safety —Food safety must be integrated into the everyday culture of horticultural businesses. When food safety becomes a core value, complacency is less likely to develop. Whole of organisation buy-in is invaluable and drives improvements.
Complacency in food safety is a hidden but potentially serious threat to businesses. By acknowledging and addressing the factors that lead to lax attitudes, industry can ensure that fresh produce remains safe for consumers. Continuous education, vigilance, and commitment to high standards are essential to prevent complacency and protect public health.
GFSI as a tool
Many horticulture businesses worldwide, choose to measure their food safety performance by adopting and obtaining a measurement against a GFSI standard(s). This provides the business (and customers) with feedback and observations in relation to food safety and good agricultural practices (GAP).
Complacency can sometimes be detected by audits/ inspections, so industry and customers encourage businesses to consider adopting a food safety measurement system to help guard against complacency.
GFSI scheme audits are used to evaluate food safety systems. They are a tool used in food production systems worldwide. If you are worried about complacency, then you could consider adopting a GFSI scheme to measure performance against the adopted standard.
MORE INFORMATION
Do you get the feeling that complacency might be creeping into your horticultural business? Do you need support? Here are some useful resources:
If you would like to conduct a review on food safety within your business and require support, please contact Joel Dinsdale (joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au).