HACCP IN FOOD EXPORTING INDUSTRY

All countries need adequate food control programmes to ensure that national food supplies are safe, of good quality and available in adequate amounts at affordable prices to ensure an acceptable nutritional and health status for all population groups. Food control includes all activities to ensure the quality, safety and honest presentation of the food, from primary production, through processing and storage, to marketing and consumption. Exporting food items need more care than other foods.

The HACCP system can be applied throughout the food chain from the primary producer to the final consumer. Besides enhancing food safety, other benefits in applying HACCP include more effective use of resources and more timely response to food safety problems. In addition, the application of the HACCP system in exporting foods can aid inspection by food control regulatory authorities and promote international trade by increasing buyer confidence in food safety.

A HACCP plan is specific to a particular food and processing application. The HACCP system is capable of accommodating change, such as advances in equipment design, processing procedures or technological developments. Exporting food items need more importance in packaging section to ensure food quality.

For the most successful implementation of HACCP, it should be applied from farm to table  starting on the farm and ending with the individual preparing the food, whether in a restaurant or home. On the farm, there are actions that can be taken to prevent contamination from occurring, such as monitoring feed, maintaining farm sanitation, and practicing good animal health management practices.

In retail stores, proper sanitation, refrigeration, storage and handling practices will prevent contamination. Finally, in restaurants, food service and homes, food handlers must store, handle and cook foods properly to ensure food safety. Consumers can implement HACCP-like practices in the home by following proper storage, handling, cooking and cleaning procedures.