Quality
matters
Consumer
interest is making it imperative to assure that food is hygienically
produced and processed. Srihari Kotela analyses essentials of food quality
Consumers
all over the world demand transparency in food production and the assurance
that it is safe. They are even willing to pay extra for quality food.
The increasing number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide
and the detection of harmful chemicals in food products is responsible
for increased public awareness about food safety. The production of
safe food requires proper control at the source and a preventive approach
throughout the processing chain. Good hygienic practices are essential
during production, processing, handling and distribution, storage and
sale.
Concerned by a number of recent food crises, 90 per cent of consumers
in the European Union have asked the European Commission to take immediate
steps to ensure that food products are healthy and safe for human consumption.
The general European Union legislation on traceability obligation for
all food products was introduced in the general food law enforced in
2002 (Regulation 178/2002), and will be fully implemented from January
2005. The traceability obligation requires all food business operators
to trace food products at least one step back and onestep forward in
the food chain. The US also introduced the Public Health Security and
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response act in 2002. The intent of the
act is to have access to information to enable them to trace the supply
chain of imported food.
India is a strategic player in the world food sector. It is the second
largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, after China,
and the second largest producer of wheat. The country accounts for 43
per cent of the world production of raw cashew and is the largest exporter
of cashew nut in the world. It is the largest producer of milk and the
fifth largest producer of eggs. It is bestowed with moderate climate,
abundant sunshine, well irrigated land and adequate trained manpower.
In spite of these facts, the processing of fruits and vegetables is
only 2 per cent to 3 per cent in India as against 83 per cent in Malaysia,
72 per cent in Thailand and 70 per cent in Brazil.Quality standards
Three standards have been identified in the food chain, which are necessary
to ensure food safety. These are:
| European
Retail Parties Good Agricultural Practices (Eurepgap) |
Grower |
Primary
production of agricultural produce |
| Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) |
Processors |
Processing,
preservation storage and sale |
| British
Retail Consortium (BRC) |
Packers |
Grading,
packing, preservation, transportation and delivery |
All these schemes
are accredited under EU standards, which have global recognition.
Quality greatly influences the demand for the product and it has an
important position in the purchase pyramid.
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