FDA Study Finds Strong Food Safety Systems Linked to Better Compliance in Retail Delis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that retail delis with well-developed food safety management systems (FSMS) generally recorded fewer food safety violations. The findings come from a nationwide study examining foodborne illness risk factors and food safety practices in retail food store delis.

The FDA analysed data collected from 438 delis between 2019 and 2022. Among the risk factors examined, improper holding time and temperature emerged as the most frequently observed area of non-compliance, affecting 84% of the establishments. Poor personal hygiene was identified at 61.9% of delis, while issues involving contaminated equipment or inadequate protection from contamination were found at 52.7%.

Employee handwashing was another significant concern, with non-compliance recorded at 61.9% of locations. The study also found problems with refrigerated food temperatures at 58.9% of delis. Non-compliance involving hot holding and cooling was recorded at 44% and 41.9%, respectively.

In comparison, inadequate cooking was among the better-controlled areas, with violations observed at 9.3% of the 344 establishments assessed for this factor.

The FDA classified food safety management systems according to their level of development, ranging from nonexistent to well-developed and documented. Delis with stronger management systems had substantially fewer non-compliant observations. Establishments with nonexistent systems averaged 4.37 non-compliant data items, compared with 1.95 among those with well-developed and documented systems.

The agency also found an association between Certified Food Protection Managers serving as the person in charge and stronger food safety management systems. The FDA said the findings support continued attention to documented management systems, employee hygiene and temperature control in retail food operations.

16-09-2026