What Are the EurepGAP Standards for Sweet Potato?
- A GlobalGAP inspector will document compliance and make recommendations.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Certification by GlobalGAP is voluntary. The certification is not stamped on any product packaging because it is a business-to-business label. Retailers may or may not choose to purchase from GlobalGAP certified producers. Producers seeking membership in GlobalGAP voluntarily comply with the standards established in the best practices guidelines. Producers are subject to inspection and audits that may be scheduled or random.
Two publications define the regulations and certification requirements: The first is a 65-page general regulations document; and the second is the criteria document for each agricultural sector. - Sweet potatoes are covered under the general fruits and vegetable criteria.Seiya Kawamoto/Lifesize/Getty Images
The control and compliance criteria for the production of sweet potatoes and other fruit and vegetable crops is detailed in the Control Points and Compliance Criteria Integrated Farm Assurance: Fruit and Vegetables document.
There are 10 pages of control points with three different levels of compliance standards. A procedure may be recommended or it may be required as a minor or major component of certification. The control points cover propagation, soil and substrate management, irrigation, harvesting and produce handling. - Substrates must not come from designated conservation sites.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Farmers are encouraged to maintain rootstock and seed stock for the future propagation of their registered crop. This is a recommended rather than required standard. The goal is to minimize fertilizer and other protective products through the propagation of healthy stock.
Farmers must justify and document the use of fumigants and chemicals used in the soil. Furthermore, it is recommended that documentation be provided regarding the origin of any natural substrates. Substrates might be any substance used to amend or enrich the soil, such as manure or peat moss.
Risk factors for microbial contamination in irrigation systems must be identified, analyzed and corrected if necessary. - World Health Organization standards for safe water are used.MASH/Photodisc/Getty Images
Packing materials, transport vehicles and storage facilities must be clean and maintained. Farmers must ensure that there is no possibility of cross contamination with chemicals used in storage facilities or containers. Any possibility of contamination from human disease must be documented and analyzed.
Environmental and quality controls must be documented and managed. Potable water must be used for washing produce, and ice must be made from potable water. Water analysis must be carried out by an authoritative agency. All filtering and recirculation equipment must be inspected and maintained.
Controls for rodents and other pests must be implemented and maintained. Access of animals to the storage and processing facility must be prevented. - Good personal hygiene contributes to safer food supplies.Fox Photos/Valueline/Getty Images
As part of produce handling, analysis and documentation of hygiene practices and procedures must be undertaken that include the education and implementation of good hygiene practices among the workers. Human diseases and chemical contaminate risks must be analyzed and documented.
Workers must have access to clean and sanitary toilets that are properly located to avoid contamination of crops. Hand-washing supplies must be available and workers must be educated on sanitary procedures.
