Quality and safety management systems in fresh produce wholesale markets in Asia and Latin America
J.-J. Cadilhon, E. Gálvez-Nogales, V. Lopez Saavedra
Acta Horticulturae 1006: 103-110.
2013
บทคัดย่อ
FAO has conducted surveys of wholesale markets in semi-industrialized coun¬tries in Asia and Latin America to identify the management systems in place to monitor or safeguard the quality and safety (Q+S) of fresh produce. To collect the information, a questionnaire was translated into local languages and mailed to market managers. The data from 115 markets revealed that wholesale markets in both Asia and Latin America were involved to various extents in Q&S management. Q&S awareness of buyers in the market was positively correlated with each one of the following elements: sellers’ awareness of quality, sellers’ awareness of safety and Q&S information activities to retailers. Regional differences in these systems were identified: Latin American markets report more protocols on microbial contamination whereas Asian markets report more tests for pesticide residues. Asian buyers sourcing in traditional wholesale markets are more aware of Q&S issues than those in Latin America. These results provide justification to continue efforts to raise the awareness of market stakeholders on Q&S because raised awareness has a positive impact on improving Q&S of the produce sold.