The Business Value Proposition in Using Food Safety Management Systems

Abstract

Every business requires a value proposition or return on investment to justify spending, especially for non-direct sales-related expenditures. For example, providing sanitizing hand wipes for children at a restaurant play area where children play and eat doesn’t immediately induce a purchase intent (sales) by a customer. Instead, the value proposition to the business is customers’ perception that the restaurant is clean and cares about children’s welfare not just selling them food. This can lead to customers visiting the facility more often with their children and thereby increase purchasing intent. Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) should not necessarily require a value proposition: in my personal opinion they should be required of all restaurants (by regulatory authorities), expected by customers (good business), and should be the priority of a foodservice business (to stay in business). However, as discussed in Chap. 2, many foodservice businesses have not experienced a foodborne disease outbreak and may not be aware that they are causing sporadic cases of illness, which can lead to complacency until an issue occurs. Thus, by showing the value proposition or return on investment in using FSMS to a foodservice business beyond preventing foodborne illnesses (which is the most Public Health value of course), the business can also build the FSMS cost into its business model.