Food Safety Challenges in National Control Systems: A Comprehensive Analysis

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the British Food Journal has identified key challenges in national food control systems, highlighting the need for strengthened control mechanisms to ensure global food security and health. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Putra Malaysia, employed a systematic literature review to analyze 45 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024. The study found that administrative flaws, inadequate response capacity, and poor communication were the most prevalent challenges affecting national food control.

Key Takeaways:

  • Administrative flaws were the most prevalent challenge in national food control systems, affecting 53% of countries.
  • Developed regions struggle with inspector shortages and outdated risk management systems, while developing regions face weak enforcement mechanisms, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints.
  • The growing digital divide undermines transparency and traceability, highlighting the need for improved digital solutions in food safety governance.
  • Public food safety systems often suffer from bureaucracy, while private systems risk inconsistency, emphasizing the importance of harmonization and standardization.
  • The study suggests that targeted interventions, refined regulations, and enhanced global food security and health require strengthened control mechanisms.
  • The research recommends cross-referencing with specialized or regional databases to minimize the omission of relevant studies.
  • The unique contribution of this review lies in its comprehensive analysis of food safety challenges worldwide, facilitating a global understanding of potential gaps in food safety governance.

Statistics:

  • 33 million healthy life years lost annually due to unsafe food globally.
  • 53% of countries face administrative flaws as a major challenge in national food control systems.
  • 43% of countries experience inadequate response capacity, poor communication, and information dissemination.
  • 37% of countries face resource constraints, while 20% face insufficient competency.
  • 30 countries worldwide were selected for this study, highlighting global disparities in food control challenges.

Sources:

  • VerticalNews. "Study Results about Foodborne Diseases and Conditions - Food Safety Published at Serdang, Malaysia." Food Weekly News, 30 Oct. 2025, https://www.foodweeklynews.com/2025/10/30/study-results-about-foodborne-diseases-and-conditions-food-safety-published-at-serdang-malaysia/.
  • British Food Journal. "Comprehensive Analysis of Global Challenges and Key Factors In National Food Control Systems." Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Emerald Group Publishing - www.emeraldinsight.com.
  • University of Putra Malaysia, Noor Zafira Noor Hasnan. "Comprehensive Analysis of Global Challenges and Key Factors In National Food Control Systems." British Food Journal, 2025, https://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0007-070X.