The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the main characteristics of the management of local public policy network that controls food safety in three municipalities in the state of Sao Paulo. These municipalities were chosen because they represent different population sizes and implement food safety programs that are structurally similar. Therefore, it is possible to identify their institutional and organizational barriers concerning the public policy networks. The descriptions and evaluations of these networks are institutional and, despite some similarity in rules, norms, laws, and conventions, there are differences in some organizational basis. The comparative study was based on a participatory research to evaluate the obstacles and effectiveness of each network program. The results identified structural and functional differences in the food safety policy network of the three cities investigated and indicated that structural factors (such as the degree of central control and level of resources among others) can influence the effectiveness of the programs although the functional factors are those that need more urgent improvements. The present study suggests ways that these programs can use to achieve more positive results in the coming years.
Institutions; Networks; Management; Public Policy; Food security
