Food Safety Management System Compliance of Food Retail Shops: A Comparative Study Between Mazovia and Kerala

This study investigates and compares Food Safety Management System (FSMS) compliance in retail shops across Mazovia (Poland) and Kerala (India). A structured visual inspection checklist with 51 indicators across seven FSMS sections was used in 500 shops per country: design and layout, general food safety, food handling and storing practices, display, personnel hygiene practices, sanitation and cleanliness, and pest control. Each section was scored using a four-point ordinal scale. Compliance scores were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Cluster analysis to identify influencing factors and compliance patterns. The results demonstrate significant differences between the two countries, with Polish retail shops showing notably higher compliance (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the design and layout section (p = 0.103). None of the assessed shop categories in either country achieved full compliance with all food safety requirements. Retail format, location, and number of employees were significantly associated with compliance levels. This is the first comparative study to examine FSMS compliance in retail shops in Mazovia, Poland, and Kerala, India, using a standardized visual inspection method. The findings contribute to a better understanding of FSMS performance in retail environments under different economic and regulatory conditions. Identifying how variations in retail format, staffing, and operational practices influence FSMS compliance can support the development of context-specific strategies to improve food safety performance.