Can third-party data complement official food safety and food standards controls in the United Kingdom catering sector? A case study of the development of the voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) Scheme Safe to Trade.

Abstract

The delivery model for official food controls in the United Kingdom catering sector is not fit for purpose. The sector continues to grow and evolve, yet the regulator shrinks and takes on new challenges. Voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) schemes, have shown in comparable sectors that they can be a successful part of the delivery model for official food controls. This thesis outlines my research journey and reflections that culminated in the creation of Safe to Trade, the first voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) scheme in the UK catering sector. My research quest is aligned to my purpose, which is to make the world a safer place and it has been a journey of discovery (Project 1), development (Project 2) and delivery (Project 3) of scheme. The reflexive journey allowed the learnings from each project to inform the direction of the subsequent one. Projects 1 and 2 are historic commercial projects that have been summarised and evidenced. Both were chosen as they are linked but distinct from Project 3, which received ethical approval from the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Ethics Review Panel. The Gibbs' Reflective Cycle, Brookfield’s four lens model and a four box grid were used to support a reflexive review of the three projects.

Project 1 consists of two research projects. In Project 1a I focused on using Food Business Operators (FBOs) safety data to aid remote inspections conducted by Local Authority (LA) participants. The study found positive comparisons between remote and on-location inspections but highlighted issues with data volume, navigation, and trust. In Project 1b I aimed to create trusted data and governance standards using third-party audits. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project developed and tested an audit standard that received positive feedback from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) participants. Both projects highlighted the potential that third-party data could be used by LA participants to conduct remote inspections, if the data, governance and standards are trusted. Project 2 consisted of two projects. In Project 2a I developed and successfully operated the vTPA scheme Safe to Trade during the COVID-19 global pandemic. In Project 2b, I expanded upon the success and insights gained from Projects 1 and 2a. This project replaced the obsolete COVID-19 components with a new Food Safety and Hygiene Standard, and enhanced other elements of the scheme.

Project 3 I aimed to answer the question: What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to the Safe to Trade scheme, from the lens of the regulator, Local Authorities, FBOs and consumer? The methods consisted of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholder groups followed by a thematic networks analysis using the techniques developed by Attride-Stirling (2001). The research delivered an original contribution to knowledge by the development of SWOT factors and a list of Standards (Appendix 20). I will use the outputs for strategic planning and policy decisions to ensure the Safe to Trade scheme is success from the perspectives of regulators, LAs, FBOs, and consumers.

Safe to Trade has a Primary Authority (PA) National Inspection Plan (NIP) application pending. If granted, the Safe to Trade scheme will become part of official food controls in the catering sector in England, which provides evidence to support ‘yes’ to the research question, ‘Can third-party data complement official food safety and food standards controls in the United Kingdom catering sector?’