Interactions between government and industry food safety activities

Government and industry share a common goal, to ensure the safety of foods. To achieve this common goal each must fulfill its distinctly separate but complementary roles. Industry has the primary responsibility for ensuring food safety. Government's role is to verify that industry is fulfilling its responsibility. Beyond these basic responsibilities there are many additional activities wherein the two interact. The many interactions are discussed and steps are recommended to enhance the working relationship between government and industry and, thereby, further enhance consumers' confidence in the safety of the food supply. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.