Integrated quality, environment, food safety, and security management systems using a systemic approach

Abstract

The integrated management system (IMS) has been a global concern in recent decades; many theoretical models are developed so as to integrate the most common used systems, such as quality, health and safety, and environment ones. But, a very limited work has been done to integrate, the food safety system to others. The aim of this article is to propose a theoretical model that integrates the four management systems (quality, safety and health, environment and food safety) into a single one based on a functional analysis of the systemic approach. The integrated model is based on the process approach, with the PDCA cycle and a risk-based approach. This model, which is in phase test, will encourage companies, especially in the food sector, to implement multiple management systems.