There has been a gradual shift from end-product inspection and testing to building safety and quality throughout the food supply chain. This is called the food supply chain approach and is popularly referred to as “farm to fork”. Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) defines food supply chain approach as “recognition that the responsibility for the supply of food that is safe, healthy and nutritious is shared along the entire food chain” – by all involved with production (e.g. farmers), processing, trade, transport and consumption. All players in the food supply chain are responsible and must share a common goal: ensure safe food at all steps of the chain.
Good agricultural practices [GAP] form the basic guidelines for farms to ensure that farm handling practices, safer inputs, correct methodology of harvesting along with safe storage and transport facilities are followed.
GAP applies recommendations and available knowledge to addressing environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm production and post-production processes resulting in safe and healthy food and non-food agricultural products.
Key Elements of GAP include
- Prevention of problems before they occur
- Risk assessments
- Commitment to food safety at all levels
- Communication throughout the production chain
- Mandatory employee education program at the operational level
- Field and equipment sanitation
- Integrated pest management
- Oversight and enforcement
- Verification through independent, third-party audits
TUV India on occasion of World Food Safety Day launched GLOBAL GAP certifications to ensure safe farm practices for you.For more details please check : https://www.tuv-nord.com/in/en/services/food-feed-fmcg-and-material-safety/global-gap-certification/