ABSTRACT
Food safety has become a major issue in both developed and developing countries. This chapter outlines rising concern over food safety has prompted a series of regulatory changes. Examination of food safety measures also reveals the subtle linkages that can exist between industry policy and social policies. Rising concern over food safety has prompted a series of regulatory changes that are overviewed in this chapter. The regulations, however, must be seen in context with industry institutional structures. The chapter discusses inspection along the entire beef supply chain, from cattle feeds, through cattle health, cattle slaughter and, finally, beef distribution. It reveals that probably one of the most cost-effective ways to grow the mid value market — argued throughout the book to be important to rural development — is to have cattle and beef inspected and certified properly and in a manner which consumers are prepared to accept as "safe" beef.
