Flouting food safety standards puts entire export industry at risk

Exporters of regulated agricultural products who fail to comply with food safety standards are putting their entire industry at risk. That’s the message from the Perishable Products Export Control Board which points out that if an importing country experiences food safety problems on a specific product, it could lead to all exports being stopped from that country if records and systems cannot demonstrate the contrary. “It is therefore important that everyone in the supply chain complies with the legislation,” says the PPECB’s Dawn Diergaardt. Applicable to exports to all destinations, the regulations include a host of various commercial and regulatory standards with which food business operators (FBO) in the supply chain must comply. South Africa, like all other countries, was required to publish a standard that encompasses the prerequisites from the European Union as well as taking into consideration local legislation. “Workshops are regularly held and information is updated on various websites,” said Diergaardt. All FBOs who want to export regulated agricultural products must ensure the correct systems are in place and they must also register with the Department of Agriculture. She advises them to do self-assessments before having an audit to enable them to address the gaps and help to ensure policies and procedures are put in place to bring about compliance. For more information on the food safety regulations visit www.doa.agric.za or www. ppecb.com