Purpose: The study aimed to identify factors associated with FDMPBs' technical accreditation/food-safety compliance in Wales.
Methods: As part of the ‘Wales Food and Drink Survey 2015-16’, online questionnaires were completed by FDMPBs in Wales (n=103) to obtain baseline information. Collated data were statistically analysed to determine significant associations with accreditation.
Results: The leading product sectors included bakery (26%), dairy (19%) and alcoholic drinks (18%). The majority (60%) reported having technical accreditation/food-safety compliance, including British Retail Consortium (BRC; 24%), Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA; 16%) and Soil Association (12%). Statistical analysis determined that the alcoholic drink sector was less likely to have accreditation (p<0.05). The cereals & snacks sector was more likely to have SALSA (p<0.01) and the dairy sector most likely to have Soil Association accreditation (p<0.001). Micro-FDMPBs with <10 employees/turnover<£250,000 were associated with not having accreditation (p<0.001). SALSA was most frequent among small/medium-FDMPBs, and BRC accreditation was associated with large-FDMPBs with >250 employees/turnover>£50M (p<0.001). FDMPBs with accreditation were more likely to supply wholesale (p<0.05), major retailers (p<0.001), major food service (p<0.001) and the public sector (p<0.001); those without accreditation were associated with selling direct to the public (p<0.005).
Significance: Significant associations were determined between sector, size and accreditation. However findings indicate a need to identify the barriers to micro/small-FDMPBs in Wales obtaining technical accreditation/food-safety compliance. Such data may inform the development of support mechanisms to enable increased accreditation and accelerate food sector growth in line with Welsh Government aspirations.