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 : –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

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 Ministerial Agreement 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 Materials

Trainer’s Team- 100 trainers in GAP Trainer’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 the importing 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!!!!