In September, at least 250 people, including 10 adults, fell ill with Salmonella after eating a spaghetti carbonara from a school cafeteria in Prague. More than 40 people were hospitalised. The Prague Public Health Authority identified two factors behind the outbreak: eggs used past their shelf life date, and a likely failure to follow proper cooking procedures.
Neither factor on its own is unusual. Ingredients close to or past their date appear in many kitchens and production sites. Cooking steps are sometimes shortened under time pressure. What makes an incident serious is when both happen at the same time, and the second control no longer compensates for the first.
Food safety systems are built in layers for exactly this reason. Each control assumes the one before it may occasionally fail. When a layer is weakened quietly, the system still looks complete on paper, until the day two gaps line up.
What comes in the way of controls that hold
- Incoming goods accepted without consistent checks on date and condition
- Critical steps such as cooking treated as routine rather than as control points
- Procedures written correctly, but not followed under time pressure
- Staff unaware of why a specific step exists and what it protects against
- Verification limited to records, without observing how work is actually done
A control that exists only on paper protects no one. It has to hold on a busy day.
Audit-focused insights
From an audit perspective, the reliability of layered controls is evaluated through:
- How incoming raw materials are checked for date, condition, and suitability
- Identification and validation of critical control points such as cooking
- Evidence that procedures are followed in practice, not only documented
- Staff understanding of the purpose behind critical steps
- Verification activities that observe real practice, not only records
Certima’s Mission
As an impartial certification body, Certima assesses compliance with international food safety measures. Certification enables businesses to demonstrate that they meet regulatory and client requirements for food safety and quality through rigorous compliance.
While Certima does not provide operational guidance, audits serve as a valuable tool for businesses to strengthen transparency and trust in the delivery of safe food products, while evaluating their food safety strategies and supply chain integrity.