An Analysis of Critical Points in Food Safety Traceability of Eggplants in San Pablo City, Laguna

Date

5-2018

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Melodee Marciana E. De Castro

Committee Member

Jewel Joanna S. Cabardo, Dinah Pura T. Depositario, Loida E. Mojica, Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Abstract

Eggplant production in the Philippines had increased due to the contribution of CALABARZON to the volume of production. San Pablo City, Laguna is located south of Laguna and is considered as one of the top contributors in the production of eggplants of the region. This research involved on the two barangays which were considered as major contributors in the total production of eggplant in San Pablo City.

The main objective of the research was to determine the critical points on food safety on the actual stages of production and distribution of eggplant farmers in San Pablo City, Laguna. With this, the study intended to know the stages in production wherein safety points were at risks especially to the consumers of eggplant. The marketing systems were used to analyze the value addition on the stages of production and distribution. Furthermore, the system was used to recommend a traceability system to the farmers of Brgy. San Cristobal and Brgy. Sta. Elena.

The study focused on the production and distribution of eggplants in San Pablo City. Common practices of farmers in production includes the used of fertilizer during land preparation and maintenance of the field, pesticide dependency, and no post-harvest management practices. Also, there were no irrigation system for both San Cristobal and Sta. Elena farmers.

Critical points on food safety was determined to be on the following stages and practices of production: land preparation, fertilizer usage, pest management, irrigation system applied, and harvesting and post-harvest practices. The actual practices were observed then compared to the standards and practices of GAP and HACCP.

In land preparation, continuous used of land was practiced by farmers. Testing for chemical residues and human pathogens on the fertilizer used were not performed by farmers. For the fertilizer usage, pathogens on organic fertilizers were not identified. Also, high dependency on fertilizer was practiced where application was done every 12 days on the average. For pest management, the farmers were very dependent on pesticide usage. On the average, farmers in San Pablo practiced spraying pesticide every four days or every after harvest. There was no irrigation system used in San Pablo. Rain was the main source of irrigation of eggplant farmers. For harvest and post-harvest practices, farmers harvest the eggplants every four days, recording of amount harvest was not practiced. Furthermore, recording of inputs used, amount applied, type of materials used, and cost were not practiced. Also, these practices were compared to GAP and HACCP.

The guidelines for HACCP and GAP requires intensive recording of inputs and outputs. Furthermore, HACCP requires pre-testing of materials used and outputs of fresh produced. This practices and standards were compared to the practices of the farmers. Results revealed that the farmers lacked data recording and other practice which require funds such as an irrigation system, testing kits, and other practices that may be applied in the field like intercropping and land rest. Quality control plays a big role in food production especially in fresh produce.

Deviation of farmer practices from standards were mostly due to time and resource constraints. Also, day of application of different materials used was one factor uncommon to the farmers. For the distributors, they pick up the produce at the farm area or at the pick- up point of Barangay San Ignacio for the transporting to nearby towns and cities. The retailers’ common practice included the chop and sell as a potential exposure to food safety hazard and sold for lower prices.

Recommendations on traceability system were limited to the farmers, farmers’ association, and distributors. Adaption of serial coding of produce was recommended to the farmers’ associations in order to minimize the cost of application of a traceability system. The high cost of the preferred traceability system poses constraints of implementation at the small market level.

Language

English

LC Subject

Eggplant industry, Food handling--Safety measures

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2018 M17 D56

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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