Globalization of Produce

1. Globalization of Produce FOOD SAFETY & SECURITY SUMMIT MARCH 7, 2007 Gary Ades, PhD, President G&L Consulting Group, LLC glades@cox.net 479.696.8189

2. Why the Increase in Imports of Fruits and Vegetables? We want them…….. • They are “good for us” • They add variety to our diets • Taste good • Can be incorporated in meals prepared in home and away from home The challenge is……… Getting enough of them, whenever we want them regardless of growing season and at a cost we can afford/willing to pay….. therefore imports

3. Why Fruits and Vegetables Are Good For You Vitamins, minerals and chemical compounds found in fruit and vegetables are essential for human health. For example…. • Vitamin A maintains eye health and strengthens the immune system • Potassium promotes nerve and muscle functioning • B-vitamins help convert food into energy • Folate reduces the risk of some birth defects and helps prevent heart disease • Vitamin C increases absorption of calcium and iron from other foods • Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from cancer-causing agents • Dietary fiber helps move food through the digestive tract and lower blood cholesterol levels • Phytochemicals- e.g., compounds that give tomatoes and carrots their bright colors- have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects Source: Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Dept of FAO, Sept 2006

4. US Agricultural Imports of Fruits and Vegetables2005 - 2006 Source: U.S. Agricultural Trade Update, ERS, USDA

5. Top 10 Sources of U.S. Imports of Fruits and Vegetables2005-2006 Source: U.S. Agricultural Trade Update, ERS, USDA

6. Recalls 0f Fruits and Vegetables2005-2006 Source: FDA

7. Source for many of the following slides is the: Global Inventory, Reference Materials and Food Safety Training Programme for the Quality and safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables- Final Report Food Quality and Standards Service (ESNS), Food and Nutrition Division, FAO, 2005

8. Why Do Countries Want to Export Fruits and Vegetables? For many developing countries, this accounts for significant income from hard-currency earnings

9. Why Have They Been Rejected in Recent Years? • Overall quality • Containing non-authorized pesticides • Pesticide residues and contaminants exceeding permissible limits • Inadequate labeling and packaging • Not having the required nutritional information • Bacterial contamination

10. What is Being Done? Efforts are underway by governments and industry to develop and apply good practices throughout the food chain • Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) • Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) • Quality and Safety Assurance Systems (e.g., HACCP)

11. Challenges to the System • Lack or weak coordination between the public and private sectors • Need to strengthen training programs targeting appropriate stakeholders • High cost associated with implementation • Need to harmonize national standards with international standards • In some countries lack of political concern and integration of implementation of programs • Lack of incentives for adoption of programs at the farmer’s level

12. Challenges to the System (Con’t) • Lack of financial, human and physical resources to carry out training, inspection and auditing activities • Lack or weak farmers’ organizations in order to facilitate market access and services • Deficient or incomplete information sources • Unknown or lack of information available to farmers and extension workers regarding technological options (e.g., pest and disease control, soil management, post harvest technologies

13. Challenges to the System (Con’t) • Lack of or scarce information, education and communications to consumers regarding safety and quality issues • Deficient post-harvest management and infrastructure • Uncertainty regarding the continuity of some fruit and vegetable safety initiatives implemented by countries with the support of external funds (donors or loans) • The quality and safety programs and initiatives implemented in the region are targeting mainly the production supplying export markets, with few or no emphasis in the production supplying domestic markets (national consumers protection aims)

14. Challenges to the System (Con’t) • Food control systems in some countries do not have a clear distinction regarding responsibilities and roles of the ministries and institutions involved in quality and safety issues at the production level. There is a clear need to define institutional roles in terms of quality and safety for the primary production. • Need to enforce pesticide regulations. Preventing the misuse of pesticides, emphasizing the use of approved pesticides applied to effectively control pests and diseases conforming to the approved Minimum Risk Levels (MRLs) and the International Code of Conduct for Distribution and Use of Pesticides

15. Private Initiatives Implemented in US and EU Markets Options ranging from voluntary implementation to self-certification according to codes of practices/standards that are then certified by third parties. Some example include……… • EurepGAP- Driven by 22 large scale retail chains in Europe • Safe and Quality Food- SQF 1000 Code: Administered by Safe Quality Food Institute a Division of Food Marketing Institute • BRC Global Standard Packaging- Developed by the British Retail Consortium (leading trade association for the UK Retail Industry) • ProSafe Certified Program- Implemented by Davis Fresh which is owned by NSF • GAP Certification- Implemented by Primus Lab, a third party auditor. Based on the FDA Guide to Minimize Microbiological Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

16. Initiatives Taken Over by the Private and Public Sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean Region • ChileGAP • PIPAA Program- Guatemala • SENASICA- Mexico • El Servicio, Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) and the State Government of Baja California in conjunction with the green onion export industry and growers has developed the Green Onion Protocol (GAPs and GMPs) based on the FDA Guidelines • SENASA- Argentina • SENA- Colombia • PRMPEX- Peru • ANALDEX Colombia • Etc., etc.

17. To Import Into the US Must work with the following agencies: • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Dept of Homeland Security) - Customs documents • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Plant Protection and Quarantine Service - Require Phytosanitary Certificate issued by exporting country • Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Branch of USDA - Inspections related to grade, size, maturity and quality • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Regulates safety of these foods Source: Produce Marketing Association, Importing Fresh Produce into U.S., 2005

18. The Guide to Minimize Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables- FDA/CFSAN, October, 1998 Basic Principles • Prevent microbial contamination rather than rely on corrective actions once contamination has occurred • Have accountability at all levels of agricultural and packing environments Areas of Concern • Water (Agricultural, Processing and Cooling) • Manure and Municipal Biosolids (Manure and Animal Feces) • Worker Health and Hygiene • Field Sanitation • Packing Facility • Transportation • Traceback Once good agricultural and management practices are in place, ensure that the process is working correctly. Without accountability, the best efforts to minimize microbial contamination are subject to failure

19. To Do’s • Sleuthing- understand where your products are coming from and where they are going • Need for an expanded role by QA in their relationship to Purchasing and others within the organization re education about risks and food safety • Need for development, implementation and verification of specifications • Collaborations needed with the entire food chain from Farm to Fork

20. To Do’s (Con’t) • Recognition of the power of risk perception. That there is no zero risk but that risk assessments and evaluations are needed • Need for preparedness planning before a crisis • Need for auditing of suppliers • The use and misuse of documents such as Letters of Guarantee • Traceability