Application of International Quality Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The objective of the course will be to create awareness and enhance knowledge on Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Scheme for the Application of International Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FFV).

• It aims at facilitating the application and adoption of quality standards in production, trade and marketing conditions, promotion of uniformity in quality control procedures and dissemination of quality assurance guidelines.
• Enhance working relationships in application of standards for FFV within the region and internationally.
• Share countries’ experiences on application of standards for FFV.
• Demonstrate practical application of standards for FFV
• Understanding and implementation of traceability in marketing of FFV

• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Scheme for the Application of International Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FFV). (1 Hour)
• FFV marketing standards
• Food safety concerns in fresh fruits and vegetables:
• Quality standard interpretations
• Case studies
• Exercises and practical – Part of field visits unit

1.1.1 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Scheme for the Application of International Quality Standards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FFV). (1 Hour)

1. Definition, aims and rationale, benefits
2. Introduction to FFV quality standards and interpretation

1.1.2 FFV marketing standards (5hrs)

1. FFV development in international bodies
2. FFV implementation in national legislation
3. FFV application on different stages of marketing
4. The role of governmental or private bodies in the context of inspection
5. The responsibilities of the owner of produce
6. Importance of sampling and sample assessment.
7. Role of private standards in FFV

1.1.3 Food safety concerns in fresh fruits and vegetables(3hrs)

1. Labelling and traceability
2. Usage of Pesticides in fruits and vegetables
3. MRLs, heavy metals and other contaminants
4. Emerging issues under fresh fruits and vegetable standards e.g. internet sales, laser marking on products, interceptions on quality standards, inspection of quality standards in the Netherlands

1.1.4 Quality standard interpretations (3hrs)

• UNECE standards for Avocados, Snow Peas /Sugar Snaps, Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots, Long Chillies, Mangos and French beans
• Codex/National Standards for Passion fruit and Tree Tomatoes
• Two sessions of roughly 35 minutes for each produce and presented by two different presenters will run concurrently

1.2 Case studies (2 Hours)

Review quality standards for tree tomato, mangoes avocado, passion fruit, snow peas/sugar snaps, french beans, onions, long chillies

Carrots,

1.3 Exercises and practical – Part of field visits unit (10 Hours)

Visit to pack house, county local market/ and supermarkets and check on several fresh fruits and vegetables for group discussion on return to training venue

Group reports on previous day’s visit to pack house/County market/Supermarket