Metrological Requirements in the Value chain of Frozen Foods A

Metrological Requirements in the Value chain of Frozen Foods
A Case Study of Commerce Mexico - USA
Speaker/Author: Salvador Echeverria-Villagomez
Co-Authors: 1,2Salvador Echeverría-Villagómez; 2Brenda Lizet Ochoa Parra;
3
Ángel González Méndez
1
Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM), México
2
Instituto Tecnológico de Celaya; 3COFOCE
Abstract
One of the main objectives of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement in Metrology has been to
help avoiding technical barriers to trade and to be a support for the movement ‘one product –
one test’. To have mutual recognition of measurement standards and calibration services is a
very important part in this aim and much progress has been done in the last ten years.
However, there are other components, mainly related to regulatory government agencies and
their preferred means of conformity evaluation, that still require much work to do.
The paper presents the case study of the export of frozen broccoli from Mexico to the USA.
Frozen foods are a very relevant part of the agro industry exports and they are becoming every
day more important, also opening markets in Europe and Japan. Broccoli is one of the main
products in this export. The study reports the gross numbers of these exports and the several
stages of the value chain, from the field to the consumer. In this value chain there are a
number of stages that require metrological verification for health purposes, some in Mexico
and some just before entering the USA border. The verification processes are sometimes
responsibility of the producing or transforming company, some of third party verificators and
some of the Mexican or USA authorities.
The study aimed to detect constrictions in the value chain, as well as holes or duplications that
either risk the quality or increased the cost. The full paper will report on the results and
recommendations of this study. Some of them will be useful for generalization to other
products.
Learning objectives:
Analysis of constrictions related to health regulations in the food industry, and how these
constrictions were dissolved with the support of metrology and the MRA.
1.
Introduction: MNA Systems and the Food Sector
Food availability and the associated processes of production, transformation and distribution
are a priority for any society and country. With globalization, a much larger international
trade of food products happens among countries. Every day greater amounts of agro, meet
and seafood products, both fresh and processed, cross frontiers of the world. The implications
of these phenomena are very important from a number of perspectives, that go from eating
habits and nutrition trends, to economical impact and health risks and concerns.
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Under these circumstances the systems of Metrology, Accreditation and Standardization
(MAS), and the related activities of product certification become most relevant. Specifically,
certification for food safety becomes critical. In global trade, it is very important to have very
solid, reliable, compatible and harmonized MAS systems among the countries and economies
that trade, so that risks are minimized and consumer confidence is well supported.
In a very simplified schematic form, the value chain of alimentary products and the points in
which MAS aspects come in is shown in figure 1.
Figure 1. Value chain of food products and intervention of MAS components.
Clearly, not always the chain has all the linkages. Every specific product and supplier chain
has its own linkages, order and characteristics. For generic discussion, however, here the
supplier chain is shown in 4 linkages or main processes. The interventions of the MNA
systems are represented as external verification (V) or internal control (C). The terms have
little precision here, but are used only for illustration.
Qualitative
Not quantifiable parameters or variables considered by HACCP in its
prerrequisites, including some organoleptic parameters.
Physical
Completeness, color, texture, size, mass, density, etc.
Chemical
Toxic substances, eg. heavy metals, pesticides, agrochemicals, preservants,
etc.
Biological
Microbiological organisms, bacteria, other organic substances.
Table 1. General types of parameters or variables to be controlled in food products.
The specific substances, parameters or allowed values of each of them vary widely according
to the product, process and market. An example is given in section 5 for one of the main food
exports in central Mexico, which is frozen broccoli.
2.
Generic functions of the MAS system in the food sector
It has been considered [1] that the main functions of a MAS System in a country or economy
are, first, to protect the health and safety of their people; second, to establish the basis for the
evaluation of quality and conformity assessment of products, services and systems; finally, in
the highest level, metrology must provide a support for research, technological development
and innovation. Figure 2 shows these functions in an schematic way.
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Figure 2. Functions of the MAS System in Society [1].
Definitively, the most important, and at the same time, elementary function of a MAS system
in the food sector is to protect the health of consumers, both in the country of origin when they
are consumed locally, and in the country of destiny, when they are exported. For this purpose
every country or region establishes its own regulations and compulsory standards.
The
emission and conformity assessment of these standards are responsibility of the government.
Most times they are emitted by agricultural authorities or health authorities, like in the USA
and Mexico, or by specific food safety agencies, as in the European Union. Examples of these
regulations have to do with fito-sanitary requirements for agro products or with maximum
allowed contents of chemicals in both, agro and farm products.
Secondly, the MAS system has the function to support the quality of products and related
issues, in aspects that do not endanger the health and safety, but are important to comply with
specifications. These type of standards are usually emitted by independent standardization
bodies. Examples of these type of standards are percentages of contents of fat, protein or
carbohydrates in bromatological analysis of specific denominations of products.
Other
examples of technical specifications include descriptions of test and analysis methods to be
used for certain purposes. Voluntary standards are rather often referred to in compulsory
standards, and then they become indirectly compulsory under those circumstances.
Thirdly, the metrology component of a MAS system has also another function in the most
avanguard level of research, technological development and innovation. In this level there are
not standards; tendencies or innovations become standards after maturity, when they have
been widely accepted by communities, and then they are not any longer innovations.
Examples of these functions would be the proofs and demonstration by objective metrological
analysis of the nutraceutical properties of specific products.
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3.
Incidence of MAS system agents in the value chain of food products
In every linkage of the value chain of food products there must be some type of verification of
the inputs to the system, e.g. agrochemicals for agro-products (fertilizers and pesticides),
antibiotics for meat-products, and many others. Along the process, there must be many
controls both, for quality and productivity in house. These controls must be applied both, to
the variables of the process and to the parameters of the product.
Then, rather often,
inspections and audits are required from a private non governmental body of third party.
Finally, and the end of the process or transfer for the following stage or to the customer, there
must be again external verification, either for the client of from external authorities to comply
with compulsory regulations.
Table 1 shows some of the generic aspects subject to control or verification, both internal and
external, in the linkages of the supply chain. There are two main aspects to be noted. One is
the need for a) internal control, b) third party certification and c) official compliance
verification. These three levels of conformity evaluation must be carefully balanced so that
emphasis is given to the first and the second and third are minimized to maintain a lean
process and system. The second aspect to be noted is the approximate correspondence of the
official verification agencies between USA and Mexico, at the processes of field-farm
production (USDA-SENASICA) and processing-transformation (FDA-COFEPRIS). This
correspondence has only a limited degree and should be a theme of more profound analysis.
Another aspect that requires further analysis, is that of the third body independent certification.
Control
Field-Farm
Production
Transport
Manipulation
Processing
Transformation
Distribution
Market Delivery
Basic
often
Qualitative
Best Practices in
Agriculture
e.g. Isolation
Best Practices
in Manipulation
e.g. Care
Best Practices
in Production
e.g. HACCP
basics
Best Practices
in Manipulation
e.g Fridge chain
Metrological
Quantitative
parameters
Pesticides,
antibiotics,
microbiologicals.
Control selection
and
dossification
Variables
control
Avoid
degradation or
contamination
HACCP
Quantitative
Measures
‘e.g. Additives,
preservants,
etc.
Control
Temperature,
Time,
conditions,
etc
Internal
Controls
Field control and
internal audits
Self control,
audits
Process control
and audits
Transport
control, audits
Third Body
Certification
AIB, SQF, others
AIB, SQF,
others
Regulatory
External
Inspection
Agriculture
authorities
SENASICA
(México) –
USDA (USA)
Health
authorities
COFEPRIS
(México) –
FDA (USA)
Table 1. Stages in the value chain of food products and control or verification entities.
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4.
The food sector in Mexico; some numbers and relevant subsectors.
In a very synthetic manner, some gross numbers of the food sector in Mexico are given in
figure 3 below. Inner production and consumption are shown in the upper part and external
imports and exports shown in the lower part.
It is possible to appreciate a deficit
(superavit???) of about 35% in agricultural products… etc.
Figure 3. Production-Consumption and Imports-Exports of Food in Mexico.
Data from [3, 4, 5, 6].
Table 2 shows the agro-products of Mexico that are exported [6] by mass of production. It
can be seen that, by far, wheat has the largest contribution. However, the 3 following
products, which are watermelon,lime and the family of garden vegetables, that include
esparragus, coliflower and broccoli.
Exported Agro-Product
Wheat (Durum)
Watermelon
Lemon (Persian)
Esparragus, broccoli and coliflower
Chilli (Bell)
Mango
Grape
Pee
Papaya
Banana
Alfalfa
Production
Metric Tons
1 397 620
580 700
416 960
228 960
225 520
222 920
156 490
108 800
90 310
88 000
77 000
Table 2. Main Mexican agro-products exported in 2008 [6].
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For a case study, the idea has been to select a specific product, to analyze its value chain and
the incidence of the MAS System in it. The relevance of the product was judged in terms of
the data of table 2 and figure 3, along with the following criteria:
a)
b)
c)
Amount of production and contribution to the economy
Function of the MAS system for the quality of life and the economy
Clear identification and commitment of the producers.
The chosen product has been frozen broccoli. In table 2 it can be seen that it is in number 4
according to the quantity (a) criterion. However, it has a high ranquing according to criteria 2
and 3, it has a high added economic value and it is rather important for the development of
this region.
5.
Some preliminary findings about the value chain of frozen broccoli.
Broccoli is a plant of the Cruciferae family that comes from the Mediterranean sea. Its
demand has increased due to published papers that praise its health benefits. These are, for
instance, cellular aging retardant and cancer prevention (Fernández Escartín, 2000). Broccoli
is one of the agro-products whose consumption has grown more in the USA in the decade of
1980 (USDA, 2002).
In Mexico broccoli is produced mainly in the central states of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato an
Queretaro, in the region known as Bajio. Guanajuato is the main producer and its main
market is USA, that absorbs 95% of its production.
In 2008 the report of fresh broccoli
exports to the USA was of 193 747 211 ton, with a value of $ 227 982 323 USD, and the
frozen broccoli was 475 279 011 ton, with a value of $ 505 469 071 USD (COFOCE, 2009).
The preference of the market for frozen broccoli is to be noted, and is due to its high quality
and interest. The impact of these exports in the economy of the region is high and this is why
it was considered a case study for this analysis.
Along the almost 30 years on broccoli exports from Mexico to USA, there has been no
problem due to its sanitary conditions. Producers realized very soon the very high relevance
of food safety and quality for keeping and expanding their markets.
To warranty the normal and expanding flow of the Mexican broccoli to the USA market, the
product must comply with a) Sanitary regulations, b) Voluntary standards, c) Client
specifications, as follow:
a) Sanitary regulations. In Mexico they are called NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana). They
are classified according to the sector to which they apply. The agriculture authorities
(SAGARPA) have 15 NOMs that apply to broccoli in the fields and the health authorities
(SALUD) have 17 NOMs that apply (DGN, 2010).
Examples of these are.
Code
NOM-057-FITO-1995
NOM-081-FITO-2001
Title
Requirements and fito-sanitary specifications to dictaminate
on the analysis of pesticide residuals.
Management and elimination of plague foca, through the
stablishment and reordering time periods for seeding,
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NOM-120-SSA1-1994
NOM-143-SSA1-1995
growing, harvesting and residual destructions.
Goods and services. Higiene and sanitary practices that
apply to the processing of foods and beverages.
Goods and services. Method of microbiological tests for
food. Determination of Liysteria Monocytogenes.
b) Voluntary standards. In Mexico they are called NMX (Norma Mexicana).
broccoli, there is the specific standard:
Code
In the case of
Title
Food products not industrialized for human consumption
– fresh vegetables – broculi (DGN, 2010)
NMX-FF-046-1982
In the USA there are 2 standards that apply to the product:
Department
United States
Department of
Agriculture
(USDA, 2010)
Title
Agricultural Marketing Service.
Fruit and vegetable división. Fresh Products Branch.
United States Standards for Grades of Italian Sprouting
Broccoli.
United States Standards for Grades of Broccoli for
Processing.
c) Client Requirements.
So the product is accepted by the client, it is necessary to
demonstrate conformity with his specification. This go from food safety specifications,
to specific appearance requirements and others. In the case of food safety, tipically the
requirement is fulfilled by certification of a qualified agency. For the Bajio Brocolli, the
normal standard is SQF2000 (Safe Quality Food), which has the HACCP system as basis
and the code for safe suppliers of the Food Industry (FMI, 2008).
The following figure illustrates how the three levels of internal control, verification and
external inspection and certification apply to the value chain of frozen broccoli.
Figure 4.
Value chain of frozen broccoli and incidence of control, inspection, verification
and certification actions.
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References
[1]
Echeverria-Villagomez, J.S., Nava-Jaimes, H. Relevancia de la metrología en la
sociedad. Presentación a Secretaría de Economía. Simposio CENAM, 2000.
[2] Ochoa-Parra, B.L. Estudio sobre la influencia del sistema Metrología, Normalización y
Acreditación en el Sector Alimentario – Caso de estudio de Brócoli Congelado. 2010.
[3] SAGARPA. Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP). Producción
agrícola 2005.
[4]
SAGARPA. Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP). Producción
agrícola 2005.
[5] FAO-STAT. Statistical Direction. Alimentary balance, Mexico. 2008.
[6] INEGI. Boletín de información oportuna del Sector Alimentario. No. 283. 2009.
[7]
INEGI. Anuario estadístico del comercio exterior de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos,
2008.
[8] Fernández Escartín, E. 2000.
http://www.invdes.com.mx/suplemento/anteriores/Julio2000/ htm/brocoli.html.
[9]
USDA. Agricultural outlook.
2002. Cited 6 de November 2008.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/.
[10] USDA. United States Department of Agriculture. [En línea] 2010.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5050252.
[11]
USDA.
United
States
Department
Agriculture.
2010.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5050401.
[12]
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Refusal
Reports
for
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[En
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[13] FMI. Código SQF 2000. Arligton, Virginia, USA : FMI, 2008.
[14] COFOCE. Reporte de exportaciones del estado de Guanajuato del sector agroalimentos,
período anual 2008 y parcial enero-febrero 2009.
[15] DGN. Dirección General de Normas. 2010. http://www.economia.gob.mx/?P=144.
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