Understanding the risks of contamination

There are three major categories of Food Safety Hazards 

– Physical contamination (for instance foreign objects, such as small stones can be found in fresh vegetables)

-Biological contamination (for instance Escherichia coli coming from human or animal feces can be found in fresh products)

-Chemical contamination (various substances from crop protection chemicals may affect the consumer)

Farmers are responsible to safeguard their products from any of these types of contamination. In some cases, the contamination may happen outside the farmer’s direct responsibility, for instance in a dirty truck that transports the products. But even in this case, the farmer is indirectly involved in a problematic supply chain that can harm people. Hence, the farmer’s production will acquire a bad reputation, something that will gradually result in income losses. 

For further explanation and detailed local specifications of GAP, please consult your Local Authority (for instance Ministry of Agriculture)

Good Agricultural Practices – Summary

Understanding the risks of contamination

Crop and Field Selection, Soil Preparation

From Seeding to Harvesting

Livestock and GAP

Personal Hygiene and Gap

Food Supply Chain (Proper Storing and Transportation)