부산대학교 도서관

The growing grocery market industry is under increasing pressure to improve profit margins to maintain profitability. With the offerings at grocery stores continually evolving toward more profitable niches, food safety risks can be introduced or elevated as operations are added or modified. This study surveyed 132 private and corporate-owned grocery stores to assess food safety risk. A 2009 Food and Drug Administration Food Code risk category assessment score was assigned to each of the departments at these stores for comparison of risks associated with their processes and policies. Private stores had slightly more risk when compared with corporate-owned stores. High-risk processes, including reduced oxygen packaging and smoking and curing operations, existed in 13% of the grocery stores. Bakeries, delicatessens, and/or meat departments sharing the same operating space also increased the risk scoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]