The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has released its updated Food Safety Culture Position Paper (Version 2.0, March 2026) — a significant step forward in aligning how organisations define, assess, and strengthen food safety culture.
Building on its 2018 framework, this updated version moves beyond theory and offers a more structured, evidence-based model rooted in over two decades of research and more than 180 scientific and industry sources.
What’s New in the 2026 GFSI Guidelines?
The updated document shifts focus toward defining the “what” of food safety culture — providing a universal framework — while leaving the “how” (implementation tools and maturity models) to businesses and standards owners.
Updated Definition of Food Safety Culture
The revised definition emphasizes that food safety culture is:
A concept based on deeply rooted beliefs, behaviours, values, and assumptions shared by employees, directly impacting food safety performance.
This reflects a more realistic view—culture is learned over time, embedded in people, and difficult to change without structured effort.
The New GFSI Food Safety Culture Model: A Two-Tier Framework
One of the most important updates is the introduction of a “wheel model”, where food safety culture is seen as interconnected dimensions rather than isolated elements.
Tier 1: Organisational Culture Foundations
These are the building blocks that shape culture:
- Company Values, Vision & Mission
Establishes the organisation’s purpose, ethical direction, and leadership expectations. - People: Commitment, Empowerment & Accountability
Focuses on workforce capability, ownership, and engagement in food safety.
Tier 2: Manifested Cultural Essentials for Food Safety
These reflect how culture is practiced daily:
- Hazard & Risk Awareness
Employees’ ability to identify and respond to food safety risks. - Consistency for Food Safety
Reliable implementation of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), including HACCP and prerequisite programs. - Adaptability, Change & Continuous Improvement
The organisation’s ability to learn, respond, and evolve over time.
Key Insight: Culture + Systems Must Work Together
A major takeaway from the updated guidelines is the integration of culture with systems:
- Food safety is not driven by procedures alone
- Nor by culture alone
- But by the interaction between formal systems (FSMS) and human behaviours
High-performing organizations demonstrate alignment between what is documented and what is practiced.
Critical Components That Define Culture
The guidelines further break down each dimension into critical components, providing deeper clarity for assessment and improvement:
- Leadership and role modelling
- Communication (two-way and transparent)
- Accountability and ownership
- Training and knowledge transfer
- Behaviour and attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Work pressure and operational realities
- Recognition and empowerment
These components highlight that food safety culture is not abstract—it is observable, measurable, and manageable.
Why These New Guidelines Matter
The 2026 update reinforces that:
- Food safety culture is a critical driver of food safety outcomes, not a “soft concept”.
- Organizations must adopt a systems-thinking approach.
- Culture should be continuously monitored and improved, not treated as a one-time initiative.
It also provides a common global language, making it easier for:
- Auditors
- Regulators
- Food businesses
- Certification bodies
to align expectations and assessments across the supply chain.
Practical Takeaways for Food Businesses
To align with the new GFSI framework, organisations should:
- Embed food safety into core values and leadership decisions.
- Strengthen employee ownership and accountability.
- Ensure consistent FSMS implementation across all operations.
- Promote open communication and continuous learning.
- Monitor both behaviors and system performance together.
Conclusion
The GFSI Food Safety Culture Position Paper V2.0 marks a pivotal evolution in how the industry approaches food safety. By shifting from a conceptual understanding to a structured, evidence-based framework, it enables organisations to move from intention to measurable performance.
A strong food safety culture is not built through policies alone—but through aligned values, empowered people, and consistent actions across the organisation.
For detailed guidelines, click here.