The food industry’s failure in planning and designing of and in implementing a Food Safety Management System and its foundation elements leads, in most instances, to compromised food safety and subsequent foodborne illness outbreaks. This phenomenon was noticed, worldwide, for all food processors, but with a much higher incidence in the medium- and small-sized food processing plants. Our study focuses on the importance of Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Critical Control Points Hazard Analysis (HACCP) and the Prerequisite Programs (PRPs) as the foundation of HACCP, in preventing foodborne outbreaks. For emphasis, we make use of the example of organizational food safety culture failures and the lack of managerial engagement which resulted in a multi-state listeriosis outbreak in USA. Moreover, we correlate this with microbiological criteria. Implementation of food safety management systems (ISO 22000:2018) along with incorporation of management tools such as HAZOP, FMEA, Ishikawa and Pareto have proved to be proactive in the maintenance of a positive food safety culture and prevention of cross-contamination and fraud.

Global food safety and security are key principles to be followed in the context of the implementation of food safety management systems. The objective of this paper is to assess the contemporary developments of Food Safety Management System standards (FSMS) worldwide and to identify the primary constraints and advantages associated with their implementation by small and medium-sized enterprises across different regions. The effectiveness of these systems has also been evaluated. 116 case studies have been employed across developing and developed regions worldwide across 27 primary food sectors. After the implementation of FSMS, there was a significant increase in the percentage of companies that have implemented the international FSMS, both in developed (16.7% to 63.9%) and developing countries (26.6% to 48.1%). Certification has also increased from 34.2% to 59.6% in the total sample, namely from 33.3% to 61.1% in developed countries and from 34.6% to 59.0% in developing countries. There was a significant increase in medium vs. small company size (57.1% to 62.3%, p = 0.046), only in developing countries. Food safety culture and manager leadership implementation were increased to over 80% after FSMS implementation in both developed and developing countries (p < 0.001). Training, resources, and technology adequacy were also increased in all companies (p < 0.001).

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are found everywhere, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review introduces PFASs comprehensively, discussing their nature and identifying their interconnection with microplastics and their impacts on public health and the environment. The human cost of decades of delay, cover-ups, and mismanagement of PFASs and plastic waste is outlined and briefly explained. Following that, PFASs and long-term health effects are critically assessed. Risk assessment is then critically reviewed, mentioning different tools and models. Scientific research and health impacts in the United States of America are critically analyzed, taking into consideration the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s PFAS Medical Studies and Guidelines. PFAS impact and activities studies around the world have focused on PFAS levels in food products and dietary intake in different countries such as China, European countries, USA and Australia. Moreover, PFASs in drinking water and food are outlined with regard to risks, mitigation, and regulatory needs, taking into account chemical contaminants in food and their impact on health and safety. Finally, PFAS impact and activities briefings specific to regions around the world are discussed, referring to Australia, Vietnam, Canada, Europe, the United States of America (USA), South America, and Africa. The PFAS crisis is a multifaceted issue, exacerbated by mismanagement, and it is discussed in the context of applying the following problem-solving analytical tools: the Domino Effect Model of accident causation, the Swiss Cheese Theory Model, and the Ishikawa Fish Bone Root Cause Analysis. Last but not least, PFASs’ impacts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030 are rigorously discussed.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found everywhere including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review introduces PFAS comprehensively, discussing their nature, identifying the interconnection with microplastics, and their impacts on public health and the environment. The Human cost of decades of delay, cover-ups, and mismanagement of PFAS and plastic waste has been outlined and briefly explained. Following that PFAS and long-term health effects have been criti-cally assessed. Risk assessment has then been critically reviewed mentioning different tools and models. Scientific Research and Health Impacts in the United States of America have been critically analyzed tak-ing into consideration the Center for Disease Control (CDC) PFAS Medical Studies and Guidelines. PFAS impact, activities, and studies around the world have focused on PFAS Levels in Food Products and Dietary Intake in Different Countries such as China, European countries, USA and Australia. Moreover, PFAS in Drinking Water and Food have been outlined with regard to risks, mitigation, and reg-ulatory needs taking into account chemical contaminants in food and their Impact on health and safety. Finally, PFAS impact and activities briefings specific to regions around the world refer to Australia, Vi-etnam, Canada, Europe, and the United States of America. Crisis Multi-Faceted Issue, exacerbated by mismanagement has been discussed in the context of applying problem-solving analytical tools: the Domino Effect Model of accident causation, the Swiss Cheese Theory Model, and the Ishikawa Fish Bone Root Cause Analyses. Last but not least, the PFAS impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030 has been rigorously discussed.