GAP framework for fresh produce supply

Abstract

Purpose

Ensuring continued compliance with food safety legislation and market requirements is critical to the fresh produce industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how a pre‐requisite programme (PRP) and key performance indicators (KPI) for food safety can be developed for the production of fresh produce, in both low input and high input supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The first stage of the research involved an examination of literature, which was conducted using desk research. The second stage includes a review of food safety management systems (FSMS) in fresh produce supply and the development of a PRP/KPI framework.

Findings

Farm assurance is well developed in the high input food supply chain for multiple retail customers. However, low input systems such as organic production, or conventional sources are often non‐assured, and supply wholesale retail and food service markets. Recent food safety incidents such as the E. coli outbreak in Germany have demonstrated that universally an effective FSMS is critical to ensure that produce is safe and wholesome and is not the cause of a food safety outbreak.

Originality/value

This study is of benefit to the produce industry and those in the food supply chain in the further development of quality assurance (QA) standards and business improvement models.

Citation

Manning, L. and Mei Soon, J. (2013), "GAP framework for fresh produce supply", British Food Journal, Vol. 115 No. 6, pp. 796-820. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-Sep-2011-0236