Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to assess the welfare effects of the newest trends in food safety policies characterised by the shift from public to private intervention.

Design/methodology/approach – Food safety policies are analysed through concepts of new economic sociology, with a critical review of the literature on social capital.

Findings – The article shows that as food safety and quality attributes responsible for the exchange complexity are simply codified and enforced through standards and third-party certification, the global value chain governance shifts from a relational type to a power-based type, with possible negative welfare effects.

Research limitations/implications – Further research would be required to verify the welfare effects suggested on the theoretical ground.

Practical implications – The article makes a useful updating of food safety policies and organisational innovation in the food system.

Originality/value – The paper introduces some new (with respect to the marketing literature related to the food system) concepts and theories of economic sociology.