The training on food safety management issues for Georgian enterprises

FROM THE REDACTION

Bakuriani – on May 8-11 2006, a training on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) and the programs necessary before inculcation of this system was held by the initiative of USAID’s project AgVANTAGE.

The issue of inculcation of food safety management became more relevant after, in December 2005, the Georgian parliament adopted the Law on Food Safety and Quality, according to which inculcation of these systems will become obligatory for Georgian companies in the near future.
The purpose of the training was giving detailed information to enterprises working in the Georgian food production sector on the stages and programs, the implementation of which is necessary for a successful inculcation of these systems. The training was attended by up to 20 participants representing Georgian companies, among them: “Georgian Glass and Mineral Waters Company”, Ltd “Georgian Eco” (Eco Georgia), Ltd “Nakoru”, Ltd. “Fortrose Georgia” (Sela), Ltd “Nut Growing and Processing Company”, Ltd “Gagra+”, etc. Experts of Food Products Association, that have a 25-year long work experience in this field, were invited with the purpose of conducting of the training.
Since food is the most widely-spread product among the ones consumed by people and it may have a critical effect on human health, a great responsibility to consumers is placed on food industry’s enterprises. Mentioned companies are obliged to produce safe food products, which will not be harmful for to human health and life. Food, first of all, should meet safety parameters and only then – other additional characteristics, which is already called food quality.
For present time, the most widespread approach to food safety management is the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP), which, along with the programs that should be implemented before its inculcation, provides safe production at food industry’s enterprises and confirms that food products produced by these companies are harmless.
“Now this system is the most effective method of food safety management, which is widely used in the US, Europe and many countries of the world. Besides, existence of this system is the basic requirement, which representatives of European and other developed countries make to their suppliers. They need a guarantee that the purchased goods are safe for consumers and that the purveyor supplies products of the same quality”, said Tamar Labartkava, AgVANTAGE’s quality control and provision specialist.
Inculcation of this system gives companies an opportunity of carrying out standardization of processes at their organizations, prevention of threats related to food production, effective management of the existing processes and distribution of resources, which, in its turn, means cutting down of expenses, facilitation of processes’ management and decision making. At the same time it increases opportunities for a company’s entry into new markets, which is now very important for Georgian enterprises.
Within the framework of its activities, AgVANTAGE renders consulting assistance to Georgian companies in inculcation of food safety and quality management systems and periodically offers them trainings and seminars on the aforementioned issues.
For additional information contact Maia Mateshvili, mobile phone number: 877 48 78 77