Food Safety Initiatives-Guatemala

» Ing. Zsolt Gerendas. INTEGRAL AGRICULTURURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME–PIPAA-.

» Guatemala, July 2003.

BACKGROUND

• 80´s: USAID, supporting agriculture diversification.

– Berries, Strawberries, Cucumber, Garlic, Artichoke, Sweet Peas, French Ejote, Squashes, Mini Carrots, Asparagus .

BACKGROUND

• 1996-1997:– Epidemiological Association of Fresh

Strawberries (Cyclospora Outbreaks)– Berries Committee-AGEXPRONT.– FDA/CDC, investigation of Cyclospora

outbreak.

Activities Carried Out

• Implementation of an inspection and grading farm system.

• Model Plan of Excellence– PIPAA, USFDA, CFIA, HEALTH CANADA,

FMI, LABORATORIES.

• Creation of the Food Safety High Level Commission.

Activities Carried Out• Team 1. Epidemiological Studies. • INCAP/USFDA: Clinical Analysis to farm

personnel. • Lab Analysis: Microbiological water

analysis.

• Team 2. Post-harvest Treatments– MAGA/ARF: Implementation of water filter Systems.

Activities Carried Out

• Team 3.

Inspection and

certification of

Farming units and

Packing houses. PIPAA/MAGA.

Activities Carried Out

Activities Carried Out

• Team 3.

Inspection and

certification of

Farming units and

Packing houses. PIPAA/MAGA.

Team 4. Protecting the image

MPE (Model Plan of Excellence)

      Implications

Potential Crisis

 Trace back demonstrated

not presence of Cyclospora

Joint effort between

THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR .

Legal Aspects

• Ministerial Agreement 23-91

• Ministerial Agreement 591-99

• Programme’s objective: sanitary and phytosanitary monitoring of agricultural products for the exporting markets.

Food Safety : Counterpart USFDA, CFIA

FOOD SAFETY

Food Safety Certification Programme

Voluntary participation on base programme.

Through this programme Producer or

Exporters can offer guarantee to the buyer, of

compliance with the basic criteria required to

produce safe food.

GAP and GMP Training Activities(5,000 farmers)

Development of Training MaterialsDevelopment of Training Materials

Trainer’s Team- 100 trainers in GAPTrainer’s Team – 70 trainers in GMP

Safety Inspection Label

Crops under the Programme

International Accreditation (European Regulation EN 45004/ISO 17020)

• Administrative Requirements. • Independency, impartiality and integrity• Confidentiality.• Organization and Direction.• Quality System.• Personnel.• Inspection procedures and methods. • Management samples, reports and

certifications.

Conclusions

High inter-institutional coordination between the public and private sector at the National level, and with the international bodies in theimporting markets is the key element to gain both: • Recognition and trustfulness of the National

authorities involved in food safety controls in the importing markets; and

• Consumer acceptance.

MANY THANKS!!!!