Training Course on Product Quality and Safety Management for Fruits and Vegetables

INTRODUCTION

The training course in Malaysia under the Strengthening Partnership among Japan and ASEAN Countries, entitled Training Course on Product Quality and Safety Management for Fruits and Vegetables will be held from 16-29 November, 2008 in Kajang, Selangor, and Ayer Hitam, Johor, Malaysia. The training is organized in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia, and the ASEAN Secretariat, with the fund provided by the Government of Japan through Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.


RATIONALE

The sporadic outbreaks of foodborne diseases indicate that food hygiene at the distribution, retailing and catering level is still a problem. It is widely recognized that most foodborne diseases occur as a result of incorrect handling and preparation of foods for consumption. The authorities in Malaysia are closely monitoring this situation as well as the use of pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones in food production and the use of preservatives agents in food products.

The question of food safety has become increasingly more important following liberalization in the world trading system. At the regional level, Malaysia has become a competitive player in the ASEAN food market. With the full implementation of ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) by January 2003 and the World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, greater attention is given to food safety. In addition increased awareness among consumers on public health has also underlined the need to address the issue of food safety. Under such circumstances, a concerted effort was taken to enhance our food safety and quality standards in order to compete in the world market and also to meet consumers higher expectations.

The 3rd National Agricultural Policy has embodied several factors that will see the food agribusiness industry transform itself into a competitive sector producing safe and quality products that can effectively compete in both the domestic and world markets.

It is therefore essential for market access that the production of food commodities are carried out in a manner that is holistic in nature, catering to the needs of markets and consumers. For crop commodities, the concern on food quality and safety has been closely associated with the levels and types of pesticides in fresh farm produce together with environment contamination by heavy metals and harmful microorganisms. Often in many developing countries, there is use of unregistered pesticides, often highly toxic. Additionally there could be excessive levels of permitted pesticides in the farm produce. Contamination with heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, and Cd) may arise from the usage of contaminated fertilizers or due to the previous land use. Usage of clean irrigation water and proper post-harvest handling of produce will minimize microbial problems.

The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture has responded to the challenge of food safety and quality by establishing a Quality assurance system for primary producers. Certification Schemes for crop Commodities, aquculture farms and livestock farms was launched.These schemes establishes the criteria and standard for certifing farms that follow good agricultural practices (GAP). Produces from farms awarded the certificate are of quality and safe to eat.

With the expanding world economy; liberalization of food trade; growing consumer demand; developments in food science and technology, and improvements in transport and communication, international trade in fresh and processed food is increasing rapidly. Access to food export markets will continue to depend on our capacity to meet regulatory requirements of importing countries. Creating and sustaining demand for our food products lies in our ability to build the trust and confidence of importers and consumers in the safety and quality of our produce.

In this regard, food safety today is an international agenda. Recent events and challenges – particularly new international agreements related to the trade in agricultural and food products and the emergence of serious trans-boundary food scares – have confirmed the increased recognition of the importance of food quality and safety. The economic importance and ubiquity of food in our lives suggest that there must be a prime interest in food quality and safety in society as a whole and in particular by authorities and producers. The consequences can be quite devastating when food safety and quality are compromised, as food safety crisis in the last few years have proven. Every food borne outbreak can be an economic disaster not just to the company that produce the products associated with the outbreak but to the entire industry and affecting the whole country.

The course focuses on basic concepts and principles of good agricultural practices, theoretical and practical approaches which include soil and water management. crop maintenance, harvesting, post-harvest handling and good manufacturing practices in handling minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

This course will provide knowledge to extension workers in equipping themselves with sufficient information to improve the management of the fruit and vegetable farms in their respective countries in ensuring that the farm products are of quality and safe to eat.


OBJECTIVES

In general, the course objectives are: aims to enhance the knowledge and understandings of the participants on product quality and safety management for fruits and vegetables through:

Specifically, at the end of the course, the participants shall be able to:

1. To understand and promote the concept of safety and quality maintenance of fresh fruits and vegetables in supply chain that involve all aspects of production, harvesting, packing house operations, storage, distribution, processing, and marketing.
2. To get an overview and familiarize participants with various quality standards for fruits and vegetables
3. To understand the basic concept of GAPs and quality assurance system.