Statistical process control in UK food production: an overview

Statistical process control (SPC) is a common feature of quality control in most high volume manufacturing processes. In the food industry, while there is no explicit compulsion for organisations to make use of SPC techniques, their usage can accrue the same benefits as in other industry sectors. Discusses the potential for application of SPC within the industry, and presents the results of a nationwide survey of 200 food processing companies, indicating relatively low levels of SPC usage. Three case studies are presented, which outline three typical approaches to SPC in the food sector, e.g. those organisations which make effective use of SPC in some form; those that do not perceive a need for it; and those that recognise its potential, but are unable to implement it effectively, owing to a lack of in‐house expertise or advisory literature. Suggests ways in which the use of SPC might be promoted and encouraged within the industry.