Editorial Independence

JFSH maintains editorial independence to ensure decisions are based on scientific merit and safety impact.

JFSH enforces publication ethics to protect public health and consumer trust.

Summaries connecting findings to consumer protection strengthen real world impact.

Describe batch effects and correction methods in multi site studies.

Discuss limitations related to food matrix complexity or sample size.

Explain how sensory or consumer data were validated.

Clarify how supplier quality assurance informed the study design.

Describe how laboratory contamination was prevented.

Summarize implications for consumer health and safety messaging.

Include key assumptions in hazard models.

Peer Review

Single blind peer review is used with editorial oversight. Reviewers assess hygiene methodology and reporting transparency.

Corrections and retractions are issued to maintain transparency.

Include calibration and validation details for analytical instruments.

Clarify storage temperatures and shelf life conditions for samples.

Clarify whether results generalize across processing environments.

Provide context for cost, scalability, or implementation feasibility.

Describe traceability practices for ingredient and product lots.

Explain how sensory outcomes link to safety or quality metrics.

Provide short methods overviews for key assays.

Describe calibration routines for measurement devices.

Integrity Pillars

Data integrity and ethical handling are prioritized throughout review.

Describe sample handling timelines to avoid bias in microbiological results.

Include references to standards or regulatory guidance where applicable.

Explain how missing data were handled in analyses.

Describe how water activity or pH influenced microbial outcomes.

Explain the role of packaging materials in contamination control.

Provide context for environmental monitoring results.

State limits of detection and quantification clearly.

Report any external audits or certifications relevant to the study.

Ethics and Integrity

We follow publication ethics standards. Misconduct is investigated promptly and documented.

Reviewer confidentiality safeguards the integrity of peer review.

When using sensory data, report panel training and scoring scales.

Describe quality assurance steps for laboratory and processing environments.

Report effect sizes relative to practical thresholds for safety or quality.

Report how allergen controls were verified during processing.

Report how shelf life endpoints were determined and validated.

Describe how sanitation frequencies were selected.

Describe how data quality checks were performed.

Summarize contamination pathways identified in the analysis.

Roles and Responsibilities

Clear reporting of food safety methods improves reproducibility across laboratories.

Provide uncertainty measures for key food safety outcomes.

Explain how sanitation verification was performed and documented.

Include details on control samples and reference materials.

Explain how cleaning validation was documented and audited.

Document pre and post intervention hygiene performance.

Report verification steps for analytical accuracy and precision.

Report compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.

Discuss mitigation strategies evaluated and outcomes observed.

Corrections and Retractions

Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are issued when needed to protect the scholarly record.

Document hygiene practices and sanitation protocols so readers can compare results.

Explain how confounders were handled in observational food studies.

Report statistical corrections for multiple testing when necessary.

Describe steps taken to minimize cross contamination.

Include batch sampling schedules and rationale for frequency.

Include clear definitions for critical control points.

Explain any deviations from standard protocols and reasons.

Explain how cross site variability was handled.

Issue Resolution Workflow

Explain how contamination risks were assessed and mitigated during experiments.

Report software versions and packages to support reproducibility.

Provide a rationale for selected microbial indicators or biomarkers.

Document packaging conditions or transport variables when relevant.

Discuss temperature monitoring and corrective actions during storage.

Summarize risk assessment methods and assumptions used.

Discuss implications for small scale or artisanal production.

Clarify how humidity and airflow conditions were monitored.