GMP refers to “Good Manufacturing Practice” or “good manufacturing standards”.  It is an autonomous management system that gives a special focus on product quality during manufacturing processes and health and safety. Since it is used in food management, it is known as food GMP. Food GMP was first implemented in the United States. Since it was quite popular among consumers and the food industry, many advanced industrialized countries such as Japan, the U.K., Singapore, etc., have adopted it. Taiwan introduced GMP in 1989 and it has been promoted ever since.

In addition to the United States that has enforced legislation for the implementation, other countries have also provided guidance to operators through persuasive implementations.

 

GMP spirit: Reduce human errors during food manufacturing processes, prevent contamination or quality deterioration during food manufacturing processes, and improve the completeness of the autonomous quality guarantee system.

Main purposes of GMP: Enhance processing operators’ quality and health and safety, protect consumers and manufacturers’ rights, strengthen food manufacturers’ autonomous management system, and promote the robust development of the food industry. The five claims and four interests are the purposes of GMP.

 

The implications of the five claims are:

 

1.       Safety: Food purchased is safe.

2.       Hygiene: Food manufactured is in line with hygiene standards.

3.       Quality: Quality management ensures uniform product quality in line with the specifications.

4.       Purity: Food ingredients are pure and not adulterated.

5.       Honesty: Package labels are in compliance with regulations and are truthfully declared.

 

The protection of the four interests:

 

1.       Safety: Guarantee product quality, safety, and hygiene.

2.       Identification: Provide correct product labeling, disclosing information on product manufacture, packaging, and transport in line with the hygiene and safety evaluations.

3.       Selection: Provide consumers lawful and good merchandise through GMP labeling.

4.       Expression of opinions: Provide consumers a pipeline for filing complaints.