Vegetable Safety

Vegetable industry expects natural , fresh ,safe products end

Responsible personals - Farmers , Collectors , Transporters , Intermediate personals , Wholesalers and retailers , Consumers Unsafe food causes injuries , harm or diseases
Hazards Biological , Chemical , Physical

Safety Hazards
Biological hazards -bacterial , viral or Parasites Influences on Safety , Consistency , Shelf life

Chemical hazards Pesticides , fertilizers , Veterinary chemicals , Heavy Metals from Soil , Naturally occurring
Physical hazards - Soil Particles , Metals At minimal processing of vegetables

Major microbial Agents

Bacterial pathogen Viral pathogen Pathogenic parasite

Escherichia coli O157:H7 Staphylococcus aureus Clostridium botulinum Camphylobacter spp Salmonella spp.

Hepatitis A
Rotaviruses Noroviruses

Cryptosporidium parvum Entamoeba histolytica

Cyclospora cayetanensis Giardia intestinalis Toxoplasma gondii

 Major concerns on possible microbes or their toxins their origin and composition Leads to diseases and outbreaks Mainly by manure- both conventionally and organically produced crops chemical treatments for pathogen control on produce are generally not applied

Safety Concerns in Sri Lanka

Organic farming Cultivation Traditional Modern

Small Medium Large

Contd.,
Pre harvesting and post harvest practices Lack of knowledge of farmers poor infrastructure facilities in cultivation areas obstacles in financial matters and attitudes of the farmers

Contd.,
Land
Control of wildlife & pests Harves ting practic e Soil

Key areas of concern

Water

Sanitati on Worker hygien e

Fertiliz er

Contd.,
Cleanin g and sanitizin g Transpo rtation

Cooling Key areas of concern

Storage

Packagi ng

What are the sources of contamination?

What are the characteristics and effect on human health? What are strategies of preventing hazards?

Human and animal Contaminated water Poor sanitary practices

Allergenic reactions Multiple poisonings Cuts and bleeding

Prevention of contamination Proper sanitation & hygiene measures Prevention of contact between pests