Application of FMEA analysis in the short cheese supply chain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) methodology to determine the biological, chemical and physical failures that could occur during the farmhouse production of white brined cheese (short cheese supply chain) in Serbia. For that purpose, the values for occurrence (O), severity (S) and detection (D) of failures were determined. These estimated values were used to calculate risk priority number (RPN), for each potential failure. Very high RPNs were determined for biological failures in this short cheese supply chain. The highest RPNs were determined for the milking step, followed by the cheese ripening step and the transport of cheese by personal vehicle. The main chemical risks associated with raw milk were the presence of aflatoxins and antibiotic residues. Our results indicate the greatest risks in the short cheese supply chain can be attributed to biological and chemical failures, due to any failures being unlikely to be detected by cheese producers and having severe consequences. The proposed corrective measures include different pre-requisite programs. Even the application of these measures will not result in great risk reduction, as the severity and detection will remain the same. The lowest RPNs were obtained for physical failures, as they are visible and, therefore, easier to detect.