QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN SMALL DAIRY PRODUCTS: CURRENT SITUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

The competitiveness and survival of dairy Brazilians are subject to improvement and quality assurance of its products and competitive production costs. Manage quality in the production of dairy products aims to provide consumer safety and help meet your requirements and provide all actors in the chain, benefits such as reducing losses and costs. The aim of this study was to analyze in a comparative manner the initiatives and processes aimed at quality management in three small milk processing companies, check the actions of these companies to suit Normative 51 (IN51) and propose recommendations for improved management of quality in order to increase competitiveness of companies in the market. The companies examined in the case study demonstrated knowledge of quality tools and methodologies, but do not yet have a strategic view of quality management which is essential to meet the needs and expectations of consumers.