Why Review

Peer review builds critical appraisal skills and contributes to safer food systems.

Peer review builds critical appraisal skills and professional recognition.

Summaries connecting findings to consumer protection strengthen real world impact.

Explain how confounders were handled in observational food studies.

Describe quality assurance steps for laboratory and processing environments.

Clarify whether results generalize across processing environments.

Document packaging conditions or transport variables when relevant.

Reviewer Impact

Reviewers receive acknowledgment letters and may be considered for editorial roles.

Include calibration and validation details for analytical instruments.

Report software versions and packages to support reproducibility.

Explain how sanitation verification was performed and documented.

Explain how missing data were handled in analyses.

Explain how sensory or consumer data were validated.

Benefits

• Recognition and acknowledgment letters
• Early access to emerging food safety research
• Professional development opportunities
• Pathways to editorial roles

Clear reporting of food safety methods improves reproducibility across laboratories.

Describe sample handling timelines to avoid bias in microbiological results.

Describe batch effects and correction methods in multi site studies.

Report statistical corrections for multiple testing when necessary.

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

Provide context for cost, scalability, or implementation feasibility.

Professional Impact

Reviewers help ensure hygiene methods are reported accurately and responsibly.

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

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

Clarify storage temperatures and shelf life conditions for samples.

Provide a rationale for selected microbial indicators or biomarkers.

Include details on control samples and reference materials.

Describe how water activity or pH influenced microbial outcomes.

Career Value

Explain how contamination risks were assessed and mitigated during experiments.

Provide uncertainty measures for key food safety outcomes.

Include references to standards or regulatory guidance where applicable.

Discuss limitations related to food matrix complexity or sample size.

Describe steps taken to minimize cross contamination.

Report how allergen controls were verified during processing.